Julian Starfest 2009

August 20th - 23rd, 2009  Menghini Winery, Julian, CA

Starfest 2009 Latest News!

Free Public Star Party Saturday Night!

The general public can enjoy Julian Starfest by participating in the free public star party on Saturday evening the 22nd.  By arriving at Starfest between the hours of 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, you can enter the exhibit area for free and be given a star tour of the heavens using the many telescopes set up in the area.  Experts will be on hand to answer questions about what your looking at and about the telescopes.  Parking is available nearby and we suggest you bring a red light flashlight to guide yourself to the observing area.  If you don't have a red light flashlight, red film will be provided to cover a white light flashlight.  Please, no white light in the observing area.


Construction begins on the Julian HS Observatory!

Check out our "About Us" page for pictures of the observatory.

Attention Imagers and Serious Observers!

We now have a new "Premium" observing site for imagers and serious observers. This site, located on the hill to the north of the winery is in an abandoned reservoir. You will be above ALL light intrusion and down in a basin that has a 10' tall embankment with low trees around the edges. The embankment and trees give a good deal of wind protection in addition to obliterating any stray light. See our "Participant Registration" Page for more information.

Inaugural Starfest a Success!

The inaugural Julian Starfest was a complete success!  Not only did we have good skies and naked eye seeing down to 6th magnitude, but everyone, participants and vendors alike, had a wonderful time.


Crowd at Starfest

Flushed with the feeling of success, the Starfest Committee is going full-steam towards next year's event, scheduled for the dark of moon on the 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of August, 2009.  That's right, one extra night this year.  We've also added on-line booking through PayPal, one extra night of viewing, kid activities, plus much, much more.  Please review our updated web page for all the facts about next years event.

Entrance to Winery

Our 2009 Sponsors