Geauga Park District
Discover Underwater Life Through Snorkeling returns to Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve, 11620 Ravenna Road in Munson Township with opportunities at from 11:45 a.m. 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT
For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Swim With The Fishies
Aug. 6
Discover Underwater Life Through Snorkeling returns to Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve, 11620 Ravenna Road in Munson Township with opportunities at from 11:45 a.m. 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Created by a former quarry, Best has a crystal-clear quality not found at many other Park District lakes.
Registration and a $25 fee for instruction is required for this rain-or-shine program. Each time slot can take up to six people, ages 8 and older. Bring your own equipment and wetsuits, or they will be provided.
Great Day For Arts In Chardon
Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When summer is hottest, it’s time for two great arts festivals in Chardon: Geauga Park District’s 26th annual Nature Arts Festival at Big Creek Park and the Chardon Square Association’s 37th annual Chardon Arts Festival on historic Chardon Square.
The events are connected by a free 5-minute Lolly the Trolley ride. Admission and parking are free at both.
Learn more about the Chardon Square festival at www.chardonsquareassociation.org.
In Big Creek Park, regional artists were juried for primarily wildlife/nature-inspired artwork, which makes this indoor/outdoor event truly unique. A complete schedule of live music, entertainment and family activities will soon be posted at bit.ly/gpdspecial.
Summer At Observatory Park
For walk-up visitors, Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. through Labor Day at 10610 Clay St. in Montville Township. For those wanting a more guided experience, however, astronomy naturalist Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park.
Celebrate the long-anticipated opening of the Nassau Astronomical Station on Aug. 19 from 6-11 p.m. The free evening will feature tours of the newly renovated facility, planetarium shows, telescope viewing, Lolly the Trolley rides, space-themed tunes, balloon sculptures, origami art, face painting, spray at demonstrations, make-n-take craft projects, field games, a hot dog dinner, Geauga County Public Library’s Fun Bus, and an outdoor showing of the movie “WALL-E” complete with popcorn and lemonade at dark.
Then witness Ohio’s first solar eclipse in years from 12-4 p.m. Aug. 21. Visit Observatory Park to try out several methods of safe solar viewing and hands-on activities, plus make a model eclipse. Maximum eclipse happens about 2:30 p.m.
Come stay the night on Aug. 12 to watch the Perseid meteor shower during the Meteors & Moths Overnight Event. It is the one night when tent camping is allowed at Observatory Park, with peak meteor time between 1-3 p.m. Also, check out cool moths attracted to the park district’s black light and mercury vapor lamps and help sample and survey nocturnal wildlife. A naturalist will be on hand from sunset to sunrise to answer questions.
Then, register for Dancing Under the Stars on Sept. 2 from 7-9:30 p.m. For just $10, get instruction and demos from professionals from Fred Astaire Dancing Studio in Chagrin Falls until 8 p.m., followed by open-floor dancing and light snacks.
Once Nassau is open, Nassau night sky viewing will allow for public use of its newly restored 36-inch telescope on Saturdays, Aug. 26, Sept. 9, 16 and 23, from 7-11 p.m. Nassau open houses are also scheduled for Sundays, Aug. 27, Sept. 10 and 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Some age groups get extra-special access this summer season. Kids ages 3-5 can sign up to enjoy the first installment of the new Astrotots series about animals in space on Aug. 23 and 26. Seniors have Senior Day on Aug. 17 and Geauga Walkers (for active seniors) meet on Sept. 5. Registration is required for Astrotots and Senior Day.
A special program is scheduled for the full moon (the Sturgeon Moon) on Aug. 7, from 8:30-9:30 p.m., and hour-long Friday programs will offer glimpses into the upcoming partial solar eclipse on Aug. 11 and the Cassini Space Probe on Sept. 8 and 22, all from 7-8 p.m.
Finally, park buildings are open on select Saturdays from 7-11 p.m. for night sky viewing with park telescopes and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. for safe solar viewing and The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show at 2 p.m.
For more information about Observatory Park, visit http://bit.ly/gpdop.
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