Mission to the Moon Lands in Cashiers

Get ready for an unforgettable night under the stars. The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, in partnership with Western Carolina University’s Department of Chemistry and Physics, invites the community to a free telescope viewing party on Friday, April 24th at 7:30 p.m. on the Club’s campus at 558 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers.

Stargazers of all ages are welcome to explore the night sky alongside WCU astronomy faculty. Powerful telescopes will bring the Moon’s craters into sharp focus and reveal dazzling views of Venus, Jupiter, distant star clusters, and even faraway galaxies. Guests will also learn how to spot spring constellations and enjoy hands-on activities for children. The event will be held outdoors, so attendees are encouraged to dress warmly.

This program is part of the 2026 North Carolina Science Festival’s (NCSciFest) fourteenth annual Statewide Star Party, made possible through generous support from the North Carolina Space Grant. This year, 43 hosts across the state will offer public skywatching events, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau is proud to be among them.

The 2026 NCSciFest theme, “Mission to the Moon,” celebrates NASA’s Artemis program and invites everyone to see how science connects to everyday life and reaches far beyond the lab. The festival brings together students, families, researchers, and curious minds from all backgrounds to celebrate discovery, exploration, and innovation.

Founded in 2010, the North Carolina Science Festival is the first statewide science festival in the United States. Through a series of community-based events each April (hosted by schools, colleges, libraries, museums, parks, businesses, and other local organizations), NCSciFest celebrates the economic, educational, and cultural impacts of science in North Carolina. It is an initiative of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For more information, please visit ncscifest.org.