2017 Hodges Gardens Star Party

[Christopher K.]

This year's Hodges Gardens Star Party runs from 22 to 26 March (that's four nights, Wednesday to Saturday). Hodges Gardens State Park has over 700 acres and is located in northwest Louisiana between Many and Leesville.

Traditionally, since many BRAS volunteers take part in this star party the Highland Road Park Observatory is closed for its duration. Coincidentally, 2017's NanoDays takes place on Saturday the 25th. That will be the only HRPO offering during the HGSP's time span.

About Hodges Gardens State Park:
http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-st ... park/index

[Christopher K.]

Don Weinell has broken the sad news that this may be the last BRAS-sponsored star party at Hodges Garden State Park. The Hodges family apparently is currently making a case that the State has defaulted on their portion of the agreement to keep up the Park, and because of that default the entire ownership of the Park should revert back to the Hodgeses.

What does this mean? Before state park status that property was open to the public, but I don't know if the public could stay overnight. Will the Hodges family still allow that? If so, will Don persue a relationship solely with the Hodgeses on behalf of BRAS? What about the cabins? Were they state-built? If so, will the state truck them away?

Well...in the meantime, here are the current NOAA forecasts of rain chance and cloud cover at 10pm in Florien for each of the nights of the Party...
Wednesday 22 March
precipitation potential, 5%
sky cover, 39%

Thursday 23 March
precipitation potential, 11%
sky cover, 15%

Friday 24 March
precipitation potential, 70%
sky cover, 93%

Saturday 25 March
precipitation potential, 6%
sky cover, 27%