When night falls, the North Shore offers something increasingly rare in our modern world: genuine, unadulterated dark skies. While light pollution continues to erase the stars for much of North America, local leaders, educators, and dark sky advocates are turning Silver Bay into a destination for celestial stewardship through the Superior Dark Sky Experience.
The third annual Superior Dark Sky Experience, with activities centered in Silver Bay and Tettegouche State Park, is happening October 15 to October 17 this year. The effort combines community education and dark-sky preservation to showcase the unique ecological and cultural value of the northland’s night canopy. Bringing together regional naturalists, stargazing enthusiasts, and residents, the program raises awareness of how thoughtful lighting choices today can safeguard one of the Arrowhead region’s greatest assets for generations to come.
Amy Grillo is one of the event’s organizers. She and her husband moved to the Silver Bay Area a dozen years ago from the Iron Range. One of the desired attributes of their new home was the prevalence of dark skies. Like many of us, she didn’t notice until a few years ago that development on the inland side of the highway was starting to show up in the form of more lighting. She joined a local group of eight or nine others concerned about the effect of light pollution on the North Shore.
“We realize that development is going to continue to happen,” she said. “But we wanted to raise awareness of the need to protect the night sky for all.”
The three-night event, free for all ages, offers something for everyone. It celebrates the night sky’s beauty in one of the region’s most pristine natural environments. A schedule is available at superiordarksky.org.
Thursday events get underway at the Silver Bay Library at 3 p.m. Day two, Friday 10/16, begins at 4 p.m. at Tettegouche State Park. Saturday the 17th, events will move to the Black Beach Inn in Silver Bay. You’ll learn why dark skies matter for human health, wildlife, and culture. Presenters include Todd Burlet, President of the Starry Skies North chapter of DarkSky International. Shannon Walz, one of the local volunteer event organizers. “Astro” Bob King, a beloved fixture in the Arrowhead, plans to be on hand the whole weekend. His presentations include how ancient asteroid impacts affected the Lake Superior region, and he will talk about “The Universe at Midnight.”
Kurt Mead, an interpretive naturalist at Tettegouche State Park, begins Friday evening with an in-depth look at the “Creatures of the Night.”
Sam Zimmerman, noted North Shore artist and author of “Walking My Ancestor’s Path,” will bring an indigenous voice to the issue of light pollution at 5 p.m.
Steve Robertson, a retired US Forest Service naturalist based in the Grand Marais area, will be there too.
At 4 p.m. Friday, the ExploraDome opens for the evening. The Bell Museum’s mobile planetarium, ExploraDome, offers an opportunity to learn about night skies. Presentations are approximately 30 minutes long and will be presented throughout the event.
David Grossheusch, a wildlife biologist and researcher based in Northern Minnesota, will conduct a Saw-whet Owl banding Friday at 7. Saw-whet owl banding is a long-running research practice used to track, study, and monitor Northern Saw-whet Owls during their annual fall migration.
The Black Beach Inn will dim its outdoor lighting at 7 on Saturday evening, and telescopes will be deployed.
Also, at 7 on Saturday, a low-light experience will be offered using night vision goggles and an experienced guide. Night vision goggles don’t just amplify the available light; they transform the way you see the world, even in the darkest environments. This revolutionary technology allows for clear vision in conditions that are pitch-black to the naked eye, creating a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Starry Skies North (the Minnesota chapter of DarkSky International) advocates for reducing light pollution and protecting the region’s natural nighttime environment. DarkSky International aims to restore the nighttime environment, protecting communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation efforts.
Grillo acknowledges local organizations Lovin’ Lake County and Best of the North Shore for funding that keeps programs free for attendees.
