Great Parks stages 'Spark in the Dark' May 24

Great Parks staged its “Spark in the Dark” program at Miami Whitewater Forest over Memorial Day weekend, pairing illuminated boat rides with a night hike and astronomy programming, according to Great Parks and a May 24 report by Local 12. The event took place at the park’s harbor near Cincinnati and was designed as an evening program rather than a daytime festival. Great Parks said visitors could “float on glowing boats as the water glints and gleams” and explore the night sky with the Cincinnati Astronomical Society. Local 12 described the event as part of the holiday weekend lineup at the park. ### When and where did the event happen? Miami Whitewater Forest hosted the program at its harbor from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to the Great Parks event listing. The park is part of Great Parks of Hamilton County and is located near Cincinnati in Harrison, Ohio, with the broader Miami Whitewater Forest property listed at 9001 Mt. Hope Road. (local12.com) May 24 coverage by Local 12 said the event was held over Memorial Day weekend at Miami Whitewater Forest. Great Parks’ newsroom release, published May 18, said the spring dates for the event were May 22 and May 23, with additional summer dates scheduled later in the year. (greatparks.org) ### What did visitors actually do after dark? Great Parks said the program centered on glowing boats on the water, a guided or organized night hike and skywatching activities. The event description also referenced “moths and moons to bats and bugs,” indicating that the programming mixed recreation with nature interpretation after sunset. Local 12 reported that families took part in the evening activities as part of a family-friendly outing. (local12.com) Great Parks said fees applied for hikes, rentals, food and beverages, while entry itself was listed as free in the event calendar data surfaced on the organization’s site. (greatparks.org) ### What role did the Cincinnati Astronomical Society play? The Cincinnati Astronomical Society was listed by Great Parks as a participant in the event’s evening programming. Great Parks said visitors could “explore the mysteries of space” with the group during the program. That astronomy component matched the event’s after-dark format. (local12.com) Local 12’s report also cited the society as part of the programming lineup at Miami Whitewater Forest. ### Was this a one-night event or part of a series? Great Parks described “Spark in the Dark” as a returning seasonal event rather than a one-off program. (greatparks.org) The May 18 newsroom release said the event would return in spring and summer, and the public calendar lists dates on May 22 and May 23 as well as Aug. 7 and Aug. 8. (local12.com) The harbor page for Miami Whitewater Forest also refers to “glow-boat evenings,” tying the event to the site’s regular recreational offerings around the 85-acre lake. ### What comes next for visitors who missed it? Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 are the next listed “Spark in the Dark” dates on the Great Parks calendar, again scheduled from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Miami Whitewater Forest Harbor. (greatparks.org) Great Parks directs visitors to its event calendar and registration system for details on rentals, hikes and other activities tied to the program. (greatparks.org 1) (greatparks.org 2)