STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY JOHN BOYDSTON

Raise a toast to Sun Valley’s dark sky with a special “Dark Sky Drink” this week.

The Idaho Dark Sky Alliance is celebrating International Dark Sky Week through Sunday, April 20, with a special Dark Sky Drinks collaboration with local establishments.

Participating locations include Café Della, The Cellar Pub, Duchin Lounge, The Kneadery, Limelight Hotel, Pioneer Saloon, Sun Valley Club and Wylde Beet.

For instance, Wylde Beet will have a Spicy Stardust Mocha, the Cellar will be serving a Dark and Stormy and Café Della will offer a Cosmic Cold Brew.

Each location will offer a unique beverage inspired by the beauty of the night sky. They will be served with special Drink in the Dark Sky coasters.

The initiative aims to spark conversation about the growing issue of light pollution while reminding Wood River Valley residents to look up and appreciate the array of stars in the sky above, said Carol Cole, board chair of the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance.

“It’s intended to be a fun way to engage valley residents and businesses in celebrating Idaho’s dark skies,” she said. It's not a contest but we'll post the drink names on Instagram throughout the week and ask customers and businesses to post photos of their dark sky drink and tag #idahodarksky.

International Dark Sky Week is a global celebration highlighting the need for responsible lighting and the value of dark skies for wildlife and human health, as well as the sheer joyous opportunity of being in awe at the starscape.

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, which encompasses Sun Valley and Stanley, was established in 2017.