The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is held each October. It has since grown to become a city-wide beacon for both astronomy buffs and casual stargazers alike. Closer to home, this year represents a major milestone for the festival in Jasper, Alberta. Stay tuned as it prepares to celebrate its fabulous 15-year anniversary in the fall of 2024! The festival is held within the huge Jasper Dark Sky Preserve. It educates the public on the importance of dark skies and encourages everyone to take action to limit light pollution.
Created in 2011, Jasper Dark Sky Preserve covers a stunning 11,228 square kilometers. The significant light pollution surrounding the park due to its vast area makes it an ideal location for observing cosmic gifts. The festival achieves this by encouraging a cultural appreciation for astronomy alongside raising awareness of the beauty of the night sky. It aims to engage the public and policymakers alike in discussions about reducing artificial light and preserving the natural night environment.
Celebrating Success Through Community Engagement
For the Jasper Dark Sky Festival to succeed, it needs three main things. Those things are key to its success. Local stakeholders have been a key element in this recent success story. Deep partnerships with local community champions have transformed that vibrant atmosphere. Local creatives and businesses fuel this community hub where education and entertainment go hand-in-hand.
The festival has gained a reputation for balancing growth with sustainability, allowing it to flourish without compromising its core mission. It is a delicate equilibrium that the tourism researchers observed has helped the festival flourish. It has kept a very educationally minded focus on astronomy and environmental conservation.
As the festival gets ready to celebrate its 15th anniversary, organizers look back on how vital community engagement has been. Local businesses, especially the outnumbered smaller businesses who have historically relied on sales during the normally under-utilized October offseason to prosperous peak tourist traffic. Restaurants and hotels report positive economic impacts as visitors flock to Jasper to experience the wonders of the night sky.
Economic Contributions and Visitor Engagement
The economic impact of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival goes deeper than just the money spent in the community on food and lodging. In 2018, nearly 34,000 visitors helped rake in an economic impact for the town and surrounding region of an astounding CA$57 million. This influx of tourists showcases the festival’s ability to stimulate local economies during a time when they typically see less activity.
The effects of dark sky tourism go far beyond Jasper’s borders. Our enthusiasts from all lands have demonstrated their commitment by journeying from near and far—even crossing the vast gulf of the Atlantic Ocean! As one example, dark sky tourists contribute more than US$500 million each year to the Colorado Plateau region. This economic wave sustains more than 10,000 local jobs. This further emphasizes the economic windfall that can come with advancing dark skies.
Additionally, the concern around light pollution is given a big boost by events such as the Jasper Dark Sky Festival. In fact, light pollution in the United States causes a loss of more than 8 billion dollars in wasted energy. At a major cost per person of nearly $7 billion a year. By advocating for reduced artificial light, the festival contributes to broader environmental efforts and educates attendees about responsible energy consumption.
Activities that Inspire Awe and Education
The festival features many family-friendly programs and exhibits that aim to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding and appreciation of astronomy. Attendees get to join nightly stargazing sessions, where they’re guided through the night sky and taught how to identify different constellations and planets. In addition, focused happenings provide a safe means of experiencing awe-inspiring phenomena like solar eclipses.
These immersive experiences are not just entertaining, but function to educate participants on the importance of preserving dark skies. When visitors look upon constellations that have guided human ancestors for millennia, they start to acquire an understanding and relationship with the universe. This relationship is extremely important in advancing everyday people’s advocacy for dark sky preservation towards policymakers on the ground.
Several Canadian sites — including Point Pelee National Park and Wood Buffalo National Park — have dark sky designations. These parks play a proactive role in raising awareness of the importance of protecting dark skies through their initiatives. By participating in events such as the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, you help to lead the way in this critical movement. Together, we succeed in protecting these priceless treasures.