Harmony Dark Sky Festival -Join us!

[Barry Bonzack]

This Saturday (April 9th) the town of Harmony will be holding its annual Dark Sky Festival. I would like to invite all teams in the area and from afar if they can make it to come and join us help get the FIRST name out to the community. This will be 1604's first large demo to the community, and we would like to not just have Harmony High School represented, but would like many FIRST teams to promote FIRST and its ideals as a whole to the community. Below is some more information, feel free to contact me if you or your team is interested in attending.




Hello FIRST Teams, Educators and Supporters! This is an invitation to
attend the Dark Sky Festival on April 9, at the town of Harmony in
Osceola County. This is an event that includes astronomy, FIRST
robotics, and other neat stuff ....

See below for the event description, and directions, from Denise
Bohnsack at Harmony Team 1604 ....

What an exciting FIRST regional it was at UCF! It was fantastic to see
all of you there! We are all so fortunate to be blessed by the dedication of
the sponsors and volunteers that made it happen. A huge THANKS to all of
you! The robots were wonderful but the friendships made and lessons learned will be what will endure always.

Here is an additional opportunity to enjoy those friendships and promote
the FIRST message at the same time. The Harmony Dark Sky Festival will be on April 9th from 4 to 10 PM. The Dark Sky Festival coordinators have set aside a FIRST area for the robots and information booths. Please bring your
robots (this years, last years, prototypes), booth information, and any interested students, sponsors, mentors, educators or family members. For those who have a LEGO League we would love to have a booth set up for interested educators as well.

The cost to attend the Dark Sky Festival is free!

The festival's main theme is astronomy, however, science and technology
are also key elements. The Brevard Community College marine robot will be on display and the amphitheater stage will feature the program "Rockin' and
Rovin' with Submersible Technology." Other programs on stage include "Countdown to Launch" with former NASA Launch Director Jim Harrington plus NASA Astronaut, Columbia and Endeavor Mission Specialist Sam Durrance. Later that evening the concert, "Harmony under the Stars" featuring John Serrie will be accompanied by planetary photographs as the backdrop. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the Harmony Square Amphitheater programs.

Many telescopes will be on hand for instructional night viewing of the
stars and planets.

DIRECTIONS: Harmony is east of St. Cloud and west of Melbourne. It is
about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Orlando. From the Beeline or 417 take Narcoosee Road south. At the 192 intersection go east (turn left) toward Melbourne about 10 miles. When you see the long white picket fence you will know you are almost there. The Harmony Town Center will be on your left. Turn in and the volunteers will direct you to the FIRST robotics area. Vehicles containing robots can park close by. In case of light rain, robots and displays will be moved to the Harmony High School cafeteria. Severe weather will cancel the festival.

For any additional questions or information, please contact me at home
at AuntNisee@aol.com or my son at Bonzack@aol.com

Here is also a link which has much valuable information.
http://www.darkskyfestival.com

Here is a preliminary schedule. Harmony Florida Dark Sky Festival - Preliminary Program

Please forward to any interested individuals or groups.

Hope to see all you there!

Best Wishes!

Denise Bohnsack
Harmony Dark Sky Festival FIRST Representative

[Barry Bonzack]

I am now on the planning committee meeting for the 5th annual Dark Sky Festival. I would like to invite any teams that are interested to come and demo their robot in front of a crowd. I'll have more information on other organizations and special guests that will be there this year as time passes. I'm hoping this year to have displays for FLL, FTC, and FRC.

The Dark Sky Festival will be in Harmony Florida on Saturday April 5th. If your 2008 robot will be in a shipping crate to Atlanta, thats fine, we will be demoing previous years robots as well.

For more information please post here or PM me.

[wendymom]

Bacon will bring the Pig Pen!