Northwoods Starfest 2025, hosted by the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (CVAS), is gearing up to welcome amateur astronomers from across the Midwest and beyond for another exciting weekend of stargazing, learning, and camaraderie. This annual event, a longstanding tradition for sky enthusiasts, will take place September 19-21, 2025, at the Hobbs Observatory, nestled within the scenic Beaver Creek Reserve just outside Fall Creek, Wisconsin.
This year’s Starfest comes with a few notable changes, the most significant being the shift to September. Historically held earlier in the summer, the decision to move the event to late September reflects both practical and observational advantages. Attendees can look forward to longer nights for telescope time and, ideally, cooler, more comfortable weather conditions compared to the heat of mid-summer. For many amateur astronomers, darker skies and cooler temperatures mean optimal conditions for observing deep-sky objects, planetary details, and the late summer Milky Way.
While registration is now open, prospective attendees should be aware of an unavoidable increase in fees. CVAS has always strived to keep Starfest as affordable as possible, but facility costs charged by Beaver Creek Reserve have risen by 50% for 2025, prompting a necessary adjustment to registration rates. Still, the event promises exceptional value with access to dark skies, observatory facilities, engaging presentations, meals, and a variety of astronomy-related activities.
The weekend will officially kick off on Friday, September 19, with registration and check-in at the Main Lodge beginning at 3:00 pm. That evening, a classic Starfest tradition unfolds with a casual bratwurst and hot dog cookout starting at 5:30 pm. Note that this dinner is not included in the registration fee, so attendees should bring a few extra dollars for food and drinks. Prices are reasonable, with brats at $3, hot dogs at $2, soda at 50 cents, and chips also at 50 cents.
Friday evening features a presentation from the first of the weekend’s featured speakers. While the exact speaker and topic are yet to be announced, Starfest has a history of bringing in knowledgeable and engaging presenters from across the amateur and professional astronomy communities. These talks offer a chance to learn from experts, whether they’re sharing insights into astrophotography, telescope equipment, space science, or their personal observing experiences.
Once darkness falls, attendees will head out to the large observing field in front of the observatory. Limited AC power will be available for those with electronic gear, but participants are encouraged to plan accordingly. The site’s rural location offers impressively dark skies for this part of the Midwest, providing excellent opportunities to observe planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. Whether you’re bringing a large Dobsonian reflector, a refractor for wide-field views, or just a set of binoculars, there’s space for everyone.
The fun continues Saturday, September 20, with brunch served from 10:00 to 11:30 am in the Main Lodge, followed by another registration window. The afternoon features the always-popular Short Talks session, where attendees can sign up to share a 25-minute presentation on any astronomy-related topic. This is a perfect chance to showcase your latest observing project, share equipment tips, or discuss an astronomical discovery that fascinates you. Those interested in presenting should indicate so on their registration form, whether registering online or by mail.
Saturday afternoon also features the Swap Fest, a beloved tradition for astronomers looking to buy, sell, or trade telescopes, accessories, eyepieces, and other gear. It’s an excellent opportunity to find a hidden gem for your observing setup or pass along unused equipment to someone else.
Dinner on Saturday evening brings attendees together for a hearty meal, followed by a drawing for door prizes. You must be present to win, and past Starfests have seen generous prize donations from respected astronomy retailers and organizations. After dinner, the group gathers for a photo before heading back out to the observing field for another night under the stars.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can also explore the wider Beaver Creek Reserve campus. The Reserve offers miles of hiking trails, a butterfly house, a nature center, and even an obstacle course, all included at no additional charge for Starfest participants. Families attending the event will especially appreciate these options for daytime exploration and entertainment.
Those looking to venture beyond the Reserve on Saturday have the option to visit the Eau Claire Planet Walk at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. This self-guided scale model of the solar system offers a fun and educational stroll along the beautiful Eau Claire River. Visitors can also browse the adjacent Farmers Market, which runs until 1:00 pm.
To ensure the best observing experience possible, the Hobbs Observatory will be closed to the general public on Saturday night. This change, implemented in recent years, provides Starfest attendees with exclusive access to the site and eliminates potential disruptions during prime observing hours.
Accommodations for the weekend include several options to suit different preferences. Cedar Lodge serves as the central hub, offering common spaces, bathrooms, showers, and two attached bunkhouses. A limited number of private rooms in Cedar Lodge are available and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Families and groups can request one of the five cabins, which offer simple interiors but no in-unit bathrooms. A shared bathroom and shower house is available to all cabin guests.
For those who prefer to camp, tents and small campers can be set up along the edges of the observing field or in other open areas of the Reserve. Space for large RVs is extremely limited and does not include electrical hookups, so be sure to notify organizers in advance if you plan to bring an RV.
If roughing it isn’t your style, two hotels, the Fairfield Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott, are located just 10 miles away near the US 53/WI 312 intersection. Additional lodging options are available in nearby Eau Claire for those seeking more conventional accommodations.
Registration fees include camping or bunkhouse/cabin accommodations, Friday midnight snacks, Saturday brunch, Saturday dinner, Saturday midnight snacks, and Sunday breakfast. Meals feature crowd-pleasers like blueberry pancakes, sausages, and midnight snacks to keep observers fueled during those late-night sessions.
Starfest organizers ask that attendees respect Beaver Creek Reserve’s strict pet policy, which prohibits pets on the Reserve grounds to protect the safety and health of visitors and wildlife. Those with specific dietary or accessibility needs are encouraged to communicate them in advance so organizers can do their best to accommodate.
Cancellations will be honored through August 31, 2025, though online cancellations incur a small 30-cent fee. Event-branded apparel is available for pre-order until September 1, 2025, with limited quantities potentially available for purchase on-site at check-in.
Northwoods Starfest 2025 offers a unique blend of observing opportunities, education, equipment swapping, and community building for astronomy enthusiasts of all experience levels. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just beginning your journey into amateur astronomy, Starfest provides an inviting environment to share the night sky with like-minded individuals.
Address:
1855 S Ingram Mill Rd
STE# 201
Springfield, Mo 65804
Phone: 1-844-277-3386
Fax: 417-429-2935
E-Mail: hello@scopetrader.com