BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Winter Solstice offers the most opportunity there is in a single day to celebrate Idaho’s Dark Skies.

Hence, the City of Ketchum is throwing a party.

The city will toast the longest night of the year under some of Idaho’s darkest skies today--Saturday, Dec. 21.

The event gets underway at 5 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square with music by Tylor and the Train Robbers. Their music will be followed by a showing of Teton Gravity’s Research’s 25-minute film “Fire on the Mountain” showcasing music by the Grateful Dead.

The fire pits will be roaring and there will be hot cocoa compliments of the city. Local food and beverage will also be available for purchase.

Planetarium shows will be held at 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. inside City Hall. There is limited seating so would-be astronomers should sign up at participate@ketchumidaho.org.

A photo booth and face painting inside an igloo will also be part of the attractions.

Ketchum was designated an International Dark Sky community in October 2017 by the International Dark-Sky Association, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting dark skies by working with government leaders to manage urban light pollution around the world.

Ketchum is the first Idaho city to earn the distinction. And it’s situated inside the International Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve—America’s first Dark Sky Reserve.