The event is held every year in the month of September. The actual dates vary from year to year. Last year's attendees are automatically on the mailing list for next year. If you wish to get on the mailing list, then e-mail the webmaster via the CAS website. Please provide the webmaster with your name and mailing address. Brochures are usually sent out in May or in June the latest. There is an electronic version of the brochure on the Astrofest webpage after the mailing of brochures.

What was once a two day event has now become a three day starparty. It begins at noon Thursday and ends on the following Sunday morning. Astrofest is held at a 4-H camp about 15 minutes west of the town of Bourbonnais, Illinois. I-57 has an exit into Bourbonnais. Once in the town, take 50 south to Armour Rd. Then go west on Armour. It turns into W. Latham Dr. Continue on Latham Dr. until Main St. Head west on Main St. which eventually turns into Rt. 102. If heading west on Rt. 102, you will come to the 4-H Camp Rd. entrance on the right hand side (road signs will alert you, as well as, our self made signs). The entrance to Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See is reached in a few seconds after turning off Rt.102. For those of you driving on I-55, which is a bit west of Camp Shaw, just check an Illinois road map for ways to get over to the site. Just pick a way that leads you to Rt. 102. Just keep in mind while driving on Rt. 102 that 4-H Camp Rd. begins at Rt. 102 and allows you to go north only. Should you be running late and it is beginning to get dark (attendees are not allowed to have their vehicle lights on when entering the site. So getting in well before dark is important) look for blinking yellow lights set up at the entrance way of 4-H Camp Rd. As a help to people with global positioning devices the coordinates are +41degrees 13' and 87 degrees 58'.

Each attendee receives a registration packet at the entrance way to the 4-H camp. A tent is situated just off the dirt road. Stop in front of the tent and give someone your confirmation ticket (or if you lost it, then just give your name). The packet contains badges that must be worn while on-site, a program listing activities and meal times, and some other information of interest. From the registration tent you can see the main field where the majority camp and set up telescopes. The grass covered field is quite large and flat. For the last two years the field is partitioned between camping lanes (single and double) and driving lanes. Recreational vehichles are allowed on the site but there are no hookups for the generators. Because RV generators can make noise and create fumes, the area they can be in is restricted to the grassy small field immediately to your left when at the registration tent. Generators are allowed to be run there with the understanding that they should run infrequently and must be stopped if complaints of noise or fumes are made to staff members. Off to the left (north), while looking at the grounds just as you leave the front entrance tent, is a building with a covered porch. It is the dining hall and this is where meals are served, free coffee and hot chocolate are offered in the evenings, speakers give talks, and videos are shown. Before I go any further I want to remind those interested in attending that a 4-H camp means rustic conditions. As long as you keep this in mind and prepare for a rustic environment all will go well. Just behind the dinnig hall and to its side is a small area reserved for attendees wanting an electrical supply. Long cords are streched out along the spot with power strips at the ends (along with ground fault interrupters). A small fee is required for use of electricity. If you look to the right of the dinning hall you'll come across a small building called the Lodge. Staff members and speakers are housed in there, as well as the 4-H camp office. In addition, the photos entered into the astrophoto contest will be on display plus a container is there for depositing your doorprize tickets (you put your name on it). As your gaze leaves the Lodge and heads south (to the right) you will notice a bunch of cabins and cabin sized buildings that are shower/rest rooms. Behind the cabins (looking east) is more camping space. The whole area that is used is surrounded by trees of various heights. Port-a-potties will be postioned on the main field for the attendees convenience. They will be drained during the event to keep conditions as clean as possible. The washrooms are periodically cleaned as well. Because of the volume of people using the facilities we will try our best to keep things clean but we ask everyone to help us out by cleaning up after yourself and not stuffing inappropriate items down the toliets. Bunks in cabins are for rent. Some cabins are reserved just for women. People who want to stay together (such as clubs) may request being lodged in the same cabin (see the brochure). Be sure to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and a blanket. Lastly, draw an imaginary straight line from the dinning hall porch heading south and running in front of the Lodge. Along this path most of the vendors will be situated (although some will be on the main field set up next to someone like you). In addition, the astronomical fleamarket participants will be set up here as well. East of the dining hall and lodge and past the trees is a big creek that runs through the 4-H site. It's quite scenic. It is bordered by rocky cliffs and sudden drop-offs. Please exercise caution. Think safety! To get to the creek take the stairs that begin at the north end of the dining hall porch.

This seems a good time to pose a question. Is a starparty only for the experienced amateur astronomer? The answer is emphatically no! If you don't own a scope or occasionally look through a friend's or through one set up at public observing session, but have an interest in astronomy, then this is the place to be. Attendees are friendly and don't mind you taking a look through their scopes - just be careful and follow the owner's instructions and enjoy. What better place is there to learn about the different types of scopes? Refractor, reflector, or a Dobsonian? Check them all out. Ask questions! As a fringe benefit, you'll have lots of telescope vendors. Learn about eyepieces, solar filters, etc. As a bonus Astrofest has Astronomy Magazine and Sky&Telescope Magazine staff attending as vendors or speakers. Above all else this is a gathering of like minded people. It's an astronomy be-in (I apologize for using a sixty's term). During the day, the vendor and fleamarket area is the hub of activity. This is also a family event. At the nearby State Park, you can go biking (bring yours or rent them) or hiking. Horseback riding is available within a 10 minute drive of the camp. Do you like to fish? The Kankakee River is waiting for you. An art contest is held for children. Prizes are awarded to the top three winners in each age category. Usually we have a face painting activity going on at dining hall porch area. We plan to have planetarium shows in Bourbonnais during the day or evening for attendees (free). A talk is given Saturday afternoon in the dining hall. During the day on Saturday a telescope contest is conducted - paper awards are handed out later on in the evening. As mentioned above, there is an astrophoto contest. You may enter it or just vote for your favorite photo. During the evening, workshops will be conducted - such as a beginner's guide to starhopping (a good skill to acquire) or possibly a video astronomy workshop. Last year for the first time an optical quality contest was held and should be held again. Look in the brochure for the activities being held at Astrofest. The days and times will be given in the program which is provided in the registration packet for attendees. Videos are shown at night in the dining hall. Doorprizes will be given out to attendees in the dining hall. While mentioning doorprizes it should be pointed out to potential vendor attendees the requirement to provide a doorprize worth at least $75 in value. It doesn't have to be your product, especially if it is a highly priced product. But it must be astronomy related - something you think a regular attendee might like to win. No coupons or discount notes are allowed. As a vendor you will be allowed on the site Thursday morning (security will have a list of vendors and their assistants. They will let you on - so come early. Don't forget your registration packet) before attendees are allowed on-site in order to set up without interference from crowds of people.

Let me end by telling you the attendance options. There are three options: 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days. If it is going to be a family event but not everyone can go 3 days, then more than one option can used. The 3 days option gets you in Thursday at noon (If you're eager to get in or came from fairly far away and arrive earlier than noon, it is ok to line up on the side of4-H Camp Rd. Just don't line up on Rt. 102). This option lets you stay through Sunday morning. Next is a 2 days option. You are allowed on-site Friday through Sunday morning. The one day option allows you on Saturday through Sunday morning. Let me emphasize one thing: there are no day passes. Such an option is impossible to enforce. To get the regular attendance option prices you must register by mail before the deadline. Please don't procrastinate and wait until the last moment to register. Many hours are spent processing registration forms and putting packets together. The task is made easier if everyone sends in the forms well before the deadline. There is no upgrading once the deadline is reached. There is one other option available but it isn't recommended. You can register on-site. But it will cost $100 per adult and $85 per paying child. Keep in mind that the higher fee doesn't cover meals or cabins. Those are extra, if available. Why is the higher fee charged? In years past registration on-site was allowed and staff expended many hours and lots of energy registering people. They were so tired they just went to sleep and didn't observe. Staff wants to enjoy the event as much as anyone else. Sufficient time is given to register by mail. If you find out about Astrofest at the last minute, then this is the only option open.

Does the word rustic send shivers up your spine? Relax. Stay at a local hotel. Here are some names and numbers: Days Inn at (815) 939-7171; Lee's Inn at (815) 932-8080; Holiday Inn Express at (815) 932-4411; Hampton Inn at (815) 932-8369; Fairfield Inn at (815) 935-1334; Bradley Inn at (815) 939-3501; Super 8 at (815) 939-7888. All are located in Bourbonnais.

Do you have some questions? E-mail the webmasters. At any time feel free to e-mail the webmasters about concerns or questions. How are the skies? Not wilderness dark. The area suffers from some light pollution especially in the east and south. But a lot can be seen - much more than in your back yard unless, of course, you live in some remote rural area.