By The Public Communications Office
In this episode of “What’s Up, College Station?”, Marketing Coordinator Grace Hallowell and Parks and Recreation Facility/Program Supervisor Jessica Amaya discuss upcoming events at beautiful Lick Creek Park, including the Nature Center’s Star Party and the always-popular Park in the Dark.
Transcript
Grace Hallowell:
What’s up, College Station? I’m Grace Hallowell, and today I’m joined by Jessica Amaya from our Parks and Recreation department. Hi, Jessica.
Jessica Amaya:
Hi.
Grace Hallowell:
Hi. I’m excited to talk about our Nature Center’s Star Party at Lick Creek Park at the Gary Halter Nature Center. So tell us a little bit about the event.
Jessica Amaya:
Yeah, it’s on Friday the 24th. It’s going to be from 7-10 p.m. No registration is required, it’s free, available to all ages, and will be family-friendly oriented. I’m very excited about it as well.
Grace Hallowell:
So what kind of activities can we expect at this event?
Jessica Amaya:
Right, we have a lot of different booths. The biggest star of the night is going to be our telescope party with the Brazos Valley Astronomy Club. They are going to bring their telescopes and will answer everyone’s questions about the stars and constellations.
We are having an owl prowl as well, so we can walk the trails and try and listen to the different owls that might be out at night. We are having a bunch of different booths. A light pollution booth, we’re going to have a bat booth where the Texas master naturalist is going to talk to us about our different Texas native bats, we’ll have a nocturnal animals booth where we can learn about the different animals that come out at night and you can make an origami bat or an owl to take home.
We’re also going to have a Constellation Learning Center where you can learn all about the different stars and what uses they have, how we look at them. We’ll have a star snack booth where we’re going to have different galaxy-themed refreshments while supplies last. So, Milky Ways, Starbursts, Mars bars, all of that.
Grace Hallowell:
Very fun.
Jessica Amaya:
Galaxy themed hot chocolate as well.
Yeah, we’re really excited. We’re going to have space games as well, so a lot of fun.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes. I know I am a big fan of stars and space. I actually just got back from Disneyland and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and I’m sure this will be much more exciting if not just as exciting. So tell me a little more about the owl prowl. That sounds like a lot of fun.
Jessica Amaya:
Yes, we plan to take people out walking the trails at night. So we’re going to try to be very quiet and listen and see if we can hear any of the owls in the area. We’re also, again, just going to have our nocturnal booth where you can learn more about them. We’re very excited. This is a new edition, so we’re hoping that we get to hear some very cool owls.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes, I know. That is always one of my favorite things to do when I go on a hike, is listen to all the bird calls, especially owls. I love owls, especially hearing their calls. It’s very special to hear one.
Jessica Amaya:
Yeah, very special. So we’re really hoping that we’re going to be able to hear some.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes. How long has this event been going on? Is this a new event, or is it a returning event?
Jessica Amaya:
We have had it in years past. We are going to have some new additions of course, with our booths, that may not have been out there before.
Grace Hallowell:
Right.
Jessica Amaya:
But we’re very excited. We have had it in the past, and we’re hoping to just make it even bigger and better this year.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes, absolutely. So if you’ve checked it out before, definitely check it out again. New and improved. Where can people find out more if they have questions?
Jessica Amaya:
Right. If you can go to the City of College Station website under Parks and Recreation. It’s going to be under the Gary Halter Nature Center website. It’s going to be under special events.
Grace Hallowell:
I believe that cstx.gov/lickcreek and then all the information will be there. Or you can check out cstx.gov/events to learn more about it specifically. What’s your favorite constellation?
Jessica Amaya:
Probably going to be Orion’s belt.
Grace Hallowell:
Okay. That’s a good one. Mine’s Cassiopeia-
Jessica Amaya:
Oh, that’s a good one too.
Grace Hallowell:
It’s tough to see sometimes, but I love star gazing, so if you’re like me, definitely check this out. In addition to the Star Party, we have Lick Creek Park in the Dark coming up, right?
Jessica Amaya:
Yeah. We’re really excited about that too. It’s probably going to have a similar feel, but it’s a different sort of event. It’s a little more structured in terms of times, but it is a come-and-go event as well. So we are going to have s’mores, the fire department’s going to do a safety demonstration. People are welcome to camp out overnight. We’re going to do other booths as well, informational activities.
We’re also just going to have a lot of different learning opportunities teaching people how to pitch tents and safety, and we’re going to do walks in the dark as well.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes, you guys are so great at demonstrations and teaching people about nature. Definitely, if you haven’t been out to the Gary Halter Nature Center, check it out. And if you haven’t been there at night, definitely come to the Star Party. It’s a whole new world out there at nighttime. Is there anything else you can share with us?
Jessica Amaya:
Just that we’re hoping that there’s a big turnout. We’re very excited about Star Party. We also have a lot of upcoming events, so if you go to the Gary Halter Nature Center or just look up Lake Creek events, we’re really excited to have all the turnout we can get to all of our events. Star Party again is on the 24th of February from 7:00 to 10:00 at Lake Creek Nature Center.
Grace Hallowell:
Well, thank you so much, Jessica.
Jessica Amaya:
Thank you for having me.
Grace Hallowell:
Yeah, you’re welcome. And that’s what’s up.
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