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EAST COAST STAR PARTY

FALL 2025

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Registration will open on June 18, 2025

Sep 18-21, 2025

Welcome to the home page of the East Coast Star Party (ECSP), formerly hosted by BBAA member Kent Blackwell at Hampton Lodge Campground in Coinjock, North Carolina. The campground where the star party took place in North Carolina was sold, so BBAA members found a new location at Chippokes State Park in Surry, VA. As in the past, the party will run from Thursday through Sunday morning.

The BBAA will host a Saturday afternoon cookout. At a minimum, we will provide hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks. In the past many attendees added their own dishes, and that tradition is being encouraged again. The event usually turns into a grand pot luck feast. All ECSP attendees and their guests are welcome to sign up and attend.

After a successful spring 2025 star party we are happy to announce that we will continue with the beloved ECSP tradition of a spaghetti dinner on Friday night that long time attendees Roy & Dee Diffrient generously provided for so many years and the hot dogs throughout the night to help keep your strength up to continue your observing session.

The ECSP is NOT weather dependent and is held rain or shine.

🔭 PUBLIC STAR PARTY 🔭

Sign directing people to the East Coast Star Party

Just follow the signs

Friday, September 19, 2025 from 7PM - 10PM

The Back Bay Amateur Astronomers and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Resources at Chippokes State Park encourage the public to attend on the Friday from 7-10pm during the East Coast Star Party. BBAA members will use their telescopes to share the night time sky with park visitors. Please feel free to ask questions and look through the telescopes during this public outreach event.

*Please note that sunset is at 7:06pm and it will be at least thirty more minutes after sunset before the club members will be able to show the dimmer objects in the night sky.

This public star party event is weather dependent. If the weather doesn't cooperate then BBAA members will not be able to use their telescopes to show objects in the sky however we will have a presentation on astronomy available for visitors if that is the case. If the outdoor portion is canceled due to weather it will be indicated on the club's Facebook page and on our official calendar.

We all want to have a great time at the star party. Please follow these simple rules that keep things fun for everybody.