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The Staunton River State Park in southern Virginia is designated as a International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. Since 2011, the park has hosted the Staunton River Star Party every March and October. Amateur astronomers from around the region gather for a week of star viewing by night and lectures by day. Each weekend, they have a public night where visitors can look through telescopes. I have attended the public night for several years to photograph the stars and telescopes.