FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County Public Library (CCPL) announces that the North Carolina Science Festival has selected Hope Mills Community Library, located at 3411 Golfview Road in Hope Mills, to receive a Statewide Star Party kit for its upcoming Star Party community event.

The Star Party will take place Friday, April 24, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and is designed for children, families and tweens. Community members are encouraged to attend and experience an afternoon of astronomy, creativity and hands-on science exploration.

The Star Party will begin indoors with a moon-themed story time designed for sensory seekers. Activities will also take place outside, where participants can explore a variety of hands-on experiences inspired by past statewide Star Parties, along with several new additions this year.

Planned activities include creating moon craters, launching stomp rockets and exploring space-themed sensory play bins. Families can also enjoy a scavenger hunt, a DIY constellation viewing box craft and sky viewing through a telescope.

This year’s expanded event will improve accessibility by including sensory-friendly options. Several pairs of over-ear headphones will be available to borrow to help reduce overstimulation to support sensory‑sensitive attendees.

The Star Party is one of several programs CCPL will host throughout April as part of the North Carolina Science Festival. A full list of festival events and other library programs is available by visiting the library’s website.

Learn more about CCPL or library locations by calling 910-483-7727, visiting cumberlandcountync.gov/library or following on social media at CumberlandCountyPublicLibrary.