This year, the Lights Out Across the Bay and Lights Out Across the Straits challenges will take place TONIGHT from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. During that timeframe, residents, businesses and visitors in the communities of Petoskey and Harbor Springs, and Mackinaw City and St. Ignace will compete with one-another to achieve greater darkness over their towns.

"We're asking everyone to shut their lights off for one hour and take the opportunity to reconnect with the sky above," said Dark Sky Park Program Director Mary Stewart Adams.

The event is timed to coincide with the peak of the Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower on July 29, one of the most popular meteor showers of the year. Participants can show their support by signing a Lights Out Pledge and posting their support in residence windows or at the entrance to business locations. Pledge forms are available on the County web site, www.emmetcounty.org and at area Chambers of Commerce in the four communities.

How will it work?

Step one: Prior to the event, designated Emmet County staff will measure the sky quality, using a Sky Quality Meter that registers darkness levels, in St. Ignace and in Mackinaw City, and Petoskey and Harbor Springs.

Step two: Between now and the event, area residents, business owners and visitors will pledge to turn out the lights and plan for an evening in the dark!

Step three: On July 29, between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. turn out your lights across Little Traverse Bay and the Straits of Mackinac.

The winning community from each pair of towns will receive media recognition and an award from Emmet County.

Once again, the Mackinac Bridge Authority will participate in the Straits challenge by turning off the cable lighting on the Mighty Mac.

The Lights Out initiative, led by Emmet County, includes the combined efforts of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Harbor Springs, the City of Petoskey, Bay View Association, the Mayors and Village Managers of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, Mackinaw City Village Council Members, Visitors' Bureaus, and Downtown Development Authorities, as well as the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

The annual Leadership Little Traverse Luncheon will take place on Friday August 1st, at Stafford's Perry Hotel.

Join LLT alumni at 12:30 p.m. for the Luncheon, followed by a program and award presentation at 1:15 p.m. to honor this year's award recipient, Robert Bleyaert.

Lunch cost is $25 and a portion of the proceeds of this event support Leadership Little Traverse. 

Please R.S.V.P. at the Petoskey Chamber office, email  nikki@petoskey.com or call 231-347-4150,  by 5:00 p.m. today.