Shades SP to host Perseid meteor party on Aug. 14

WAVELAND — Hoosiers can stargaze at the darkest public night sky in Indiana at Shades State Park on Aug. 14 from 10 p.m. to midnight during the park’s Perseid meteor shower star party.

The Wabash Valley Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up for visitors to use. Members of the society will help viewers locate constellations, planets and the Milky Way Galaxy, among other celestial objects. The meteor shower should be visible without a telescope.

Park naturalists will have a few space-themed crafts and activities for guests to do while waiting to look through a telescope. Visitors may bring a chair or blanket to view the stars in comfort along the park road that leads to the Pine Hills Nature Preserve parking lot.

This is a weather-dependent event. The star party will be canceled if the sky is too cloudy or if it is raining.

Standard park gate fees of $7 per in-state vehicle and $9 per out-of-state vehicle apply.

A state park spanning Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Shades is located at 7751 S. CR 890 West, Waveland.