BY KAREN BOSSICK

The City of Ketchum will host a Starry Solstice Social on Friday, Dec. 21—the night of the Winter Solstice.

The event, designated to celebrate the area’s one-year anniversary as the nation’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, will be held at Ketchum City Hall and Ketchum Towne Square.

Hemingway STEAM School teacher Scott Slonim will offer free tours of the night sky inside the inflatable Star Lab portable planetarium at Ketchum City Hall at 3:30 and 4:30 p.mThough free, attendees are asked to sign up at participate@ketchumidaho.org, as space is limited.

The action will then move to Ketchum Town Square at 5 p.m. where Mayor Neil Bradshaw will make a few remarks

 Kirk Long and Greg Harman, astronomers with Bruneau Dune State Park Observatory, will discuss such things like the scale of the universe, black holes and even aliens. They will also speak and assist gazers in examining the dark sky through telescopes that will be set up for star gazing on the square.

There will be an exhibit about the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve and young space cadets will get to wander through a hazy maze and partake in activities at the see-through igloo set up on the square.

The City will also provide celestial snacks—free coffee, hot chocolate, cider, cookies and food from KBs Burritos--while supplies last.

Warfield Distillery and Brewery will have special celestial cocktails available for purchase, and imbibers can listen to live music by Audio Moonshine from 6 to 8 p.m. as it sends its vibrations into the stratosphere.

“Our dark skies are part of what makes Ketchum and its surrounds a little unique,” said Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “What better time to celebrate it than on the longest night.”

The International Dark-Sky Association announced its designation of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve on Dec. 18, 2017. The 1,416-square mile reserve is the third largest in the world. It stretches from Ketchum/Sun Valley to Stanley and includes areas in Blaine, Boise, Custer and Elmore counties, as well as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.