Monday, March 24: Screening of the award-winning documentary “The City Dark” at Court Square Theatre. Followed by panel discussion on light pollution in Harrisonburg, the Valley, and the nation. 7-10 pm. Followed by Star Party from downtown Harrisonburg.
Tuesday, March 25: Author Paul Bogard presents his critically-acclaimed book “The End of Night: Searching for Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light.” Miller Hall, JMU, 7-8:30 pm. Followed by Star Party on JMU campus.
Wednesday, March 26: “What Can We Do About Light Pollution and Why Should We?” A public forum on solutions to light pollution in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley. Featuring Bob Parks, Executive Director of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA; examples of lights fixtures, drafting outdoor lighting ordinances, benefits learned from other cities). Downtown Harrisonburg. 8pm.
Thursday, March 27: “The Campus at Night: Controlling Light Pollution at JMU while saving money and maintaining safety.” Panel: Paul Bogard (host/moderator) Shanil Virani (JMU Planetarium Director), Regina Lawson (police chief, Wake Forest), Laura Greenleaf and others. WILSON HALL AUDITORIUM. 7:00-9:00 pm.
Friday, March 28: City-wide celebration of the night, including night hikes, night bikes, astrophotography, planetarium shows, sidewalk telescope observing, and more! JMU Arboretum and other locations. Beginning at 8pm.
Saturday, March 29: Results of community-wide short film competition on light pollution in our community. Court Square Theatre. 6:30-7:30 pm. Celebration of Earth Hour on campus at JMU, Astronomy Park. 8-10 pm.