JULIAN, CA - Julian Starfest, a three-day festival focused around the field of astronomy, will occur in the mountain town of Julian on August 1, 2 and 3, 2008. The event is the brainchild of three Julian astronomers, Scott Baker, Michael Leigh and Chuck Kimball, and will be sponsored by the Julian Merchants Association and the Julian Chamber of Commerce. All three founders of the event are 30-year veterans of the astronomy hobby and each, coincidentally, owns a Bed & Breakfast in Julian and shares their love of astronomy with guests. Julian is known for its clear dark skies and one of the best locations in Southern California for observing.
     The event will be held at Menghini Winery where a large grassy area and plenty of parking can accommodate the anticipated crowd. Planned are two nights of observing (aka Star Party), Friday and Saturday, and astronomy related exhibition areas during the day on Saturday and Sunday. Guest speakers will present on astronomy related subjects throughout the days. A raffle with some great astronomy prizes will be held Saturday evening.
     On Saturday, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hale 200-inch telescope on Palomar Mountain is an option for attendees. Sunday will feature an astronomy swap meet for attendees to sell and barter astronomy equipment. Several well known astronomy equipment manufacturers will have displays of their equipment, including Meade Instruments, Celestron and Vixen Optics. Other astronomy vendors will be selling equipment as well.
     Camping, adjacent to the observing site, is available to astronomers on a first come-first served basis.

For more details and registration forms, please visit the Julian Starfest web page at www.julianstarfest.com

To reach Menghini Winery, take Highway 78 or 79 to Julian. Follow Julian’s Main Street north, which becomes Farmer Road. The Menghini Winery is at the junction of Farmer Road and Wynola Road, 3 miles north of town.

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