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Bluff Celebrates New Dark Sky Community Designation with Upcoming Festival

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Welcome to Bluff, Utah where streaks of modern motion blur beneath the ancient stars.
Paul Martini
/
darksky.org
Welcome to Bluff, Utah where streaks of modern motion blur beneath the ancient stars.

Bluff, Utah, has officially joined the growing list of International Dark Sky Communities — and residents are getting ready to celebrate with their first-ever Dark Sky Festival on November 14th and 15th.

The designation recognizes Bluff’s commitment to preserving its naturally dark skies through responsible lighting, public education, and community collaboration. It also highlights the town’s location near Bears Ears National Monument and the San Juan River — areas already known for their stunning stargazing opportunities.

To mark the occasion, the Bears Ears Partnership is hosting a two-day festival filled with astronomy talks, telescope viewings, and educational activities for all ages. The event will take place in and around Bluff, bringing together scientists, artists, and community members who share a love for the night sky.

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Amanda has lived on the west side of the Rockies since 2015 and most recently moved to the Four Corners Region in the later part of 2022. Amanda now lives in Mancos with her brindle rez-dog Bucket. She brings a diverse background of experience in outdoor education, sales, customer service, and therapeutic & coaching services. One of her "personal
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  • Bluff Community Centre will host the first Dark Sky Festival on Friday, November 14th and Saturday, the 15th from 6:00pm.

    As Utah’s newest International Dark Sky Community, the festival at Bluff will feature Western and Indigenous astronomers, a Navajo storyteller, lectures and a variety of sky enthusiasts. Attendees will experience a weekend of stargazing, cultural traditions, and family-friendly activities.

    Each night will feature a Star Party with a telescope walk and constellation tours.

    Further information is available by visiting bluffutah.org/bluff-dark-sky-festival
  • The Sunflower Troupe is thrilled to present "Silent Sky" a beautifully written play by Lauren Gunderson taking place in the early 1900s about the life of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt whose achievements changed the way we understand the universe.

    The show opens Friday, November 7th, at 7pm and runs for 2 weekends, with matinees on Sundays. For tickets and more information please go to sunflowertheatre.org
  • Two comets and a meteor shower may be visible to stargazers this month.