Free public Star Parties are headed to Lakeside this year, giving East County residents a chance to visit county preserves after dark and look through professional-grade telescopes with help from volunteer astronomers.

The events are part of San Diego County Parks and Recreation's Parks After Dark program and are being held with the San Diego Astronomy Association, according to East County Magazine. The series will use two Lakeside locations: Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve at the Highway 67 staging area and Oakoasis County Preserve on Wildcat Canyon Road.

The schedule includes eight events from June through December: June 26, July 11, July 24, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 27 and Dec. 25. Most Sycamore Canyon events are scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m., while the July 11 Oakoasis event is scheduled for 8 to 9:30 p.m.

All ages are welcome and there is no cost to attend. Organizers recommend dressing in layers and wearing sturdy shoes because the preserves will be dark and evening temperatures can drop quickly. Heavy cloud cover or rain may cancel viewings.

For Santee residents, the series offers a close-to-home summer and fall outing without driving to the mountains or desert for darker skies. East County Magazine reported the schedule and details from the county parks program and the San Diego Astronomy Association.