AU 003: Event: Night Under the Stars on November 3, 2007

Park: Alamo Lake State Park
Guest: Interpretive Education Coordinator (Western Region) Elizabeth Enriquez
Summary: Guest Elizabeth Enriquez discusses some of the activities that will happen on November 3rd at Alamo Lake State Park: Telescopes, the Lowell Observatory, Red Flashlights, Fishing, and more!
Time: 4:43

Intro Music:

Radio Host:
Welcome to Arizona State Parks Update. Today we're talking about the special event Night Under the Stars, an Arizona State Parks 50th Anniversary Celebration that will be happeing at Alamo Lake State Park in western Arizona Saturday November 3rd. Joining us today is Interpretive Education Coordinator for the Western Region Elizabeth Enriquez. Thanks for joining us today Elizabeth.

Interpretive Education Coordinator Elizabeth Enriquez:
Hi.

Radio Host:
So tell us a little bit about Night Under the Stars.           

Enriquez:
Well Night Under the Stars is one of the first Astronomy Events we've ever held for the State of Arizona and hopefully it will become an annual event at Alamo Lake State Park. Bascially we've invited all of the astronomy clubs in Arizona to come out and participate at this event. We'll be having a Star Party where hopefully all the different clubs will come out and set up their telescopes and the public can gaze at the different stars and talk about the different constellations as well. We'll also have a Star Fair during the daytime from 2 - 6, where we'll have family activities. our 50th Anniversary tent, and other educational displays. Some of the kids activites include: Make Your Own Sundial, a Model of Saturn, and Make Your Own Galaxy are some of the few events we'll have that day. Hopefully the NASA representative will have some fun activities too. Some of the NASA representatives names are Stacy DeVoe and Cecelia Cordova.

Radio Host:
Now also in the afternoon at 2:30 and 4:30 there will be 30 minute Astronomy presentations.

Enriquez:
Yes.

Radio Host:
So it's been just announced and it's exciting news that someone from the Lowell Observatory will be attending the event. Tell us a little about that.

Enriquez:
Yes Lowell Obervatory will be doing the two presentations. One is called the Cosmic Cart and it's for people of all ages. Enjoy fun and interactive demonstrations illustrating scientific concepts. Dry ice and liquid nitrogen and various other chemicals are all used adding to the fun.

The second presensation is a Solar Telescope viewing demo. You can safely view the Sun, our maiden star, through the telescope. All adding to the fun of this event.

Radio Host:
Okay as you mentioned then starting at 7 p.m. the kickoff to the Star Party starts, and where will that be located?

Enriquez:
The Star Party site is visible from the Star Fair site during the day, literally just a stone's throw away, right next to the Star Fair's site. Just to clarify there will be volunteers guiding people to the Star Party site once they park. We are asking people to bring a red flashlight if they have one.

Radio Host:
Why a red flashlight?

Enriquez:
Why red? Well red does not harm our night vision so we can then better appreciate the night sky and therefore the stars. The whole Star Party will be a redlight only zone. This is at night of course. Don't worry if you don't have a red flashlight since there will be small red flashlight available so everone can participate in this fun and educational event that is the Star Party.

Radio Host:
And we're also asking people to bring warm clothes, bug repellent, and bottled water and snacks whatever you think will help make you feel comfortable that night.

Enriquez:
Yes. We want everyone to have a good time and in order to do that they need to feel comfortable.

Radio Host:
And Alamo Lake State Park is a perfect location for an astronomy event because the closest town in nearly 40 miles away.

Enriquez:
Yes. You can see the Milky Way there it's such a beautiful area to have this event. And it will be perfect weather as well. You can seeing shooting starts, it's just a beautiful, beautiful site.

Radio Host:
Alamo Lake State Park is located in Western Arizona 38 miles north of the city of Wenden. The Park offers Full RV Hookups sites, Water & Electric Only Hookup Sites, as well as primitive camping sites. The park sells ice, firewood, bait and fishing licenses. Alamo Lake State Park offers Anglers one of the best fishing lakes in the state with with excellent opportunities to catch bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie. And I understand you've done some fishing there as well Elizabeth.

Enriquez:
Well I've tried. I'm not a very good fisherperson, but I have eaten the fish there. Some of the local rangers are awsome fishermen and they sent me some really good Black Crappie and we made some fish tacos and they were very tasty.

Radio Host:
Well thanks for joining us today Elizabeth,

Enriquez:
Thank you.

Radio Host:
To contact the park directly please call 928-669-2088. Night Under the Stars, an Arizona State Parks 50th Anniversary Event will be held Saturday November 3rd.

Music:

Commentator:
Arizona State Parks: Managing and serving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people both in our parks and through our partnerships.  Visit us on the web as azstateparks.com.

Music: End

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