Sasquatch Family Farms will host its “Starry Starry Night” event from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 27, at 155 Buckley Road in Toledo.
The evening will include stargazing, conservation walks, night photography, an espresso truck, yoga, farm fun and camping.
Admission to the event is $10. Tickets can be purchased at the gate of the farm or on its website at https://www.sasquatchfamilyfarms.com/.
Two sessions of yoga will also be offered for purchase on the website. All other activities at the farm will carry no additional cost after the price of admission.
Cassie Doll, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be at a booth on the farm offering information about the farm’s historic apple orchard and endangered wildflowers that are present. She will be available from 8 to 9 p.m.
The farm is still in the process of identifying all the plant species on the farm. So far, they have confirmed the presence of Wyethia, Kincaide’s lupine, in both the traditional purple and less frequently seen white color, and Oregon coyote thistle. There is also a large number of camas bulbs that are growing in multiple locations on the farm.
Oregon coyote thistle is a rare plant in the state and has reached threatened status. The farm is working to take good care of it. It's another species in the suite of wet prairie native plants that live in the hayfield. It has bristly seed heads and thistle-like leaves. Although it looks kind of like a thistle, it turns out it's actually in the carrot family. The farm is committed to improving and maintaining the plant’s habitats so plant species don’t continue to be lost. This plant is near the parking area on the farm and will be easier to spot on the self-guided conservation area walk.
Sasquatch Family Farms is also home to a heritage apple orchard.
“Every day, we’re finding new treasures on the farm,” said Shauna Perez, owner of the farm. “We’re working with a team of WSU grad students and hoping that we might have a lost apple species on our farm. More to come on that. We’re really excited.”
While at the farm, visitors will be able to see the apple orchard as well as some of the threatened or endangered flower species and take in the beauty of Mount Rainier at sunset while strolling through the property.
Local photographer Jesse Smith will be present to demonstrate night sky photography. As the night winds down, Terra Lea of TL Yoga To Go will host two sessions of yoga.
Lea is a professional storyteller and movement and breathing leader. She will lead a session of simple movement and breathing to connect visitors to all the surrounding natural beauty. No experience or mat is needed, just a blanket or towel. The gentle, 40- to 60-minute session will, “Soften visitors into the sweet and simple beauty of the night sky,” according to the Sasquatch Family Farms website.
Session one, called “The Story of a Star,” will include breathing exercises, movement and a “story of magic and awe,” according to organizers. It will take place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Session two, titled “Cosmic Wonder,” will feature a weaving of science, wonder and movement, centering visitors as children of the cosmos. It will take place from 10 to 11 p.m.
Rose City Astronomers will be on hand as the moon rises to help visitors identify constellations. “Rose City Astronomers suggested the night of Saturday the 27th as a great night for viewing,” Perez said.
Volunteers of all ages will assist in identifying stars and other heavenly bodies.
Along with the conservation walk, star gazing, yoga and night star photography, there will also be activities for kids. Mobile Mermaid Espresso will be crafting drinks for visitors. Cornhole will be set up. and saddles and rope will be available for kids to play with.
Visitors are also welcome to camp in the field overnight after participating in the multitude of activities. Volunteers will be available to help set up campsites. It will be dry camping and no fires will be allowed in accordance with the current burn ban.
Mount St. Helens is a short drive from Sasquatch Family Farms and does not have timed entry passes like other parks. Visitors could take the whole weekend to tour the nature of the surrounding area by visiting Mount St. Helens on Sunday following the Starry Starry Night Event.
Sasquatch Family Farms encourages attendees to bring their picnic blankets, friends, family and some food for an off-grid, relaxing evening at their farm. Keep an eye out for their fall events, which could include a pumpkin and sunflower patch, at https://www.sasquatchfamilyfarms.com/ or by following Sasquatch Family Farms on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095243763103.
