The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College is available for rental (on a limited basis) for children's birthday parties. The Staerkel Planetarium is the second largest planetarium in the state, featuring the first-of-its-kind Carl Zeiss M1015 star projector and a brand new Digistar 4 full dome digital projection system. It's the next best thing to the real night sky!

Birthday party packages are available during two time slots on Saturday afternoons, either from 2:15-3:45pm (actual party runs from 2:30 to 3:30pm) or 4:15-5:45pm (actual party runs from 4:30 to 5:30pm). In this time slot we include:

• 15 minutes of set-up time. The planetarium can provide the appropriate tables and chairs. You must provide any food, drink, table service and/or decorations.
• 30 minutes in the planetarium lobby for cake and/or birthday presents.
• 20-30 minute program in the dome featuring a live sky talk under the stars, plus a five-minute musical finale that can feature your child's photo on the dome.
• 15 minutes clean-up time. Clean-up will be performed by the renters. Trash cans will be provided.
• No food, drink or helium balloons are allowed in the planetarium dome.

Cost for one of our time slots is a flat $120. We can accommodate up to 30 people, including parent chaperones (the lobby is the limiting factor). Please call to book your birthday party at least one month in advance. All dates are subject to the availability of a planetarium staff member. If you'd like your child's photo on the dome with a birthday message, please provide a digital photo and the child's age on their birthday at least one week before the event. Email the JPEG photo to dleake@parkland.edu

Call Dave Leake or Carolyn Martin at 217/351-2568 if you have questions or to reserve your time slot!   Call or email for more details!