Thanks to the Frontiers of Flight Museum, you don’t have to visit a “galaxy far, far away” to experience the wonders of space exploration, astronomy, incredible science exhibits, or an inflatable planetarium! Star gazers and space enthusiasts of all ages can now trek over to the family-fun activities at Moon Day 2016 sponsored by Beal Bank.

The celebration, which is the biggest annual space exposition in Texas, is set for Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave. Moon Day is free with Museum admission ($7-$10; Museum members and children 3 and under are free).  Through the Blue Star Museums program, admission is free for active duty military and their families.  At this time, the Museum is also offering free admission or active duty peace officers.  Visit:  http://www.flightmuseum.com/event/moon-day-2016/

In 2009, Moon Day was created in Dallas by Frontiers of Flight Museum and the National Space Society of North Texas as an annual event to celebrate space exploration on or near the anniversary of the first Moon landing. The festival is a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focused space-themed public event, which continues to attract participants across North Texas and beyond. This year, Moon Day will commemorate the 47th anniversary of the first lunar landing, which took place when Apollo 11 touched down on July 20, 1969.

“While the anniversary of the first Moon landing serves as a reason to celebrate, the Frontiers of Flight Museum and the National Space Society of North Texas have created an annual event to showcase the present and future of space exploration,” said Bruce Bleakley, Museum Director of the Frontiers of Flight Museum. “Our extensive content is provided by local, regional, and national space-related organizations, who work—as we do—to inspire all ages to embrace a scientific and technological future.”

Moon Day is a community-wide family-fun event which attracts more than 1,500 attendees.  Visitors will enjoy a full day of activities featuring space-related displays from three dozen exhibitors. The first 250 kids through the door will receive a “Lunar Sample Bag” full of space-related posters, magazines, trading cards, and other items.  Also, visitors departing later in the day will receive a free “Astronaut Snack Pack” of space-themed snacks courtesy of Kroger stores.

Kids Talk Live to International Space Station Expedition 48 Commander Jeffery Williams @ 10:30 a.m.

One of the highlights of Moon Day will be a live question-and-answer session between local students and International Space Station Expedition 48 Commander Jeffery Williams, who will answer the students’ questions and interact with the audience.  The session, which is open to the public in the Museum’s Hamilton Family Auditorium, is planned to begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.  

Col. Walt Cunningham is featured guest speaker @ 12:30 p.m.

Moon Day’s featured guest speaker will be Col. Walt Cunningham, Lunar Module Pilot of the Apollo 7 Mission and the sole surviving crew member.   The Apollo 7 crew of Walt Cunningham, Donn Eisele and Wally Schirra flew the first manned flight of the Apollo program from October 11-22, 1968.� Walt, the only remaining crew member, will talk about the incredible accomplishments of the Apollo program.

The Apollo 7 Command Module is on display at the Museum, on loan from the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.

Other Moon Day Highlights:

• Beginning at 11 a.m. choose interesting and educational presentations from the Moon Academy for youngsters or the Lunar University for college level and above.
• New this year is the SMU Quarknet Physics Circus, three separate 30-minute presentations of fascinating and entertaining science demonstrations from graduate students of the Physics Department of Southern Methodist University.
• Students can build Model Rockets at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; Launch at 3:00 p.m. ($25 registration required; limited availability).
• Exciting all-day activities include an inflatable planetarium, a special viewing of the sun’s surface with a SAFE solar telescope, trying on a Russian space suit, and much more!

Bleakley explained that visitors who might not feel technically proficient in space topics will still have a great time at Moon Day. “Space exploration is a continuing chapter in the human story, and everyone can be a part of it in some way.”

For more information on Moon Day 2016 Presented by the Frontiers of Flight Museum and the National Space Society of North Texas visit: http://www.flightmuseum.com/ or call (214) 350- 3600.