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Organizers outline Bluff Dark Sky Festival; council approves printing and outreach plan
Summary
Organizers described a November Bluff Dark Sky Festival with visiting astronomers, Navajo constellation speakers, family activities and evening telescope walks; council approved printing 500 resident brochures and 50 business brochures (vendor: Online B/Canva) to support outreach and compliance with the town's dark‑sky code.
Organizers of the Bluff Dark Sky Festival briefed the council Aug. 19 and asked for volunteer help and town support for outreach materials. Diana Davidson, speaking for the organizing committee, said the festival will take place in November with a Friday evening program and a full day Saturday of family and evening events.
Davidson listed confirmed and invited speakers: Kevin Schindler of Lowell Observatory (listed as historian/outreach), Navajo constellation speakers Nancy Maryboy and David Begay, and storyteller programming and local presenters. The schedule will include daytime family activities called the "Little Dipper" (portable planetarium, planet walk, rock painting, a solar scope) and evening constellation tours followed by telescope walks.
"We want to celebrate Bluff's international dark sky designation," Davidson said, noting the festival is aimed at residents and neighboring communities and that the organizers are seeking volunteers, including a "dark sky ambassador" to assist with light‑measure monitoring to maintain the designation.
Council also discussed how to notify residents about the town’s dark‑sky rules and outreach events. Staff presented three printing options; after debate about direct mail versus event distribution, council approved a motion to print brochures with 'Online B (Canva)'—500 resident brochures and 50 business brochures—and to proceed with the mailing/ distribution plan discussed at the meeting.
Why it matters: Bluff’s dark‑sky designation factors into tourism, local fundraising and compliance; broad resident notification supports enforcement and community buy‑in.
What comes next: organizers will continue volunteer recruitment and final programming; staff will arrange printing and work with post office options for distribution. The council also scheduled a local star party at the Bluff Community Center the coming Saturday to recruit volunteers and ambassadors.
