Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, something astonishing happened.
For the first time in history, a human from the planet Earth stepped onto another world. You might remember it: “One small step… one giant leap….” The three adventurers were Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins. They flew Apollo 11 to the Moon and back. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon, while Collins remained in lunar orbit.
The landing wasn’t an isolated event. It took thousands of people and billions of dollars to make it to the Moon and back. And it didn’t happen overnight. The Moon landing was the culmination of a space program (and space race) that began in the late 1950s. There were setbacks along the way, but we pushed forward. President Kennedy set the goal, “We choose to go to the Moon….” There was the Soviet Union’s Sputnik and the United States’ Explorer, the first satellites in orbit. Then humans ventured into space with the Mercury and Vostok programs. Yuri Gagarin, Alan Shepard, and John Glenn were the heroes of the time. Spaceflight became more complex with the Gemini and Voskhod spacecraft. Missions were longer, and we learned how to rendezvous and “walk in space.” Then came Apollo and Soyuz. Apollo brought with it the huge Saturn V rocket, and, with Apollo, we made it to the Moon and back. Soyuz stayed in orbit around the Earth, but, today, it is the craft used to travel to and from the International Space Station.
July 20, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. To celebrate, Kaleideum is featuring Moonstruck Summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Journey with us as we explore the Moon, remember these voyagers in space that took us to the Moon, and anticipate the exciting journeys yet to come! Be a part of our special planetarium shows, interactive learning stations, and moon-inspired storytelling, theatre, and crafts.
Don’t miss the highlight of our Moonstruck Summer … a Moon Rocks party on July 20, from 6 to 10 pm.
- Countdown to the thrilling launch of a Saturn V model rocket!
- Watch the captivating Apollo 11 documentary, which recently screened in theaters nationwide! (8-9:30 pm; limited number of seats on a first-come basis; recommended for ages 11 and up)
- Listen to the real-time audio feed recorded as astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon!
- Get a taste of something out-of-this-world with Stoo and his friends in a pop-up performance of Peppercorn Theatre’s new play, Stoo’s Famous Martian-American Gumbo!
- Make your own groovy tie-dyed bandana!
- Rock out with Carolina Crossing, a six-piece band that covers a wide variety of genres… including ’60s pop and rock
- Sample some of the ’60s classics: Tang and Moon Pies from our friends at Lowes Foods Reynolda Road!
- View the stars through professional telescopes with Forsyth Astronomical Society! (9-10 pm, weather permitting)
And there’s more! Door prizes, science demonstrations, and planetarium shows. Food available for purchase, including dessert from the Ice Queen. Cash bars hosted by Foothills (beer & wine) and Mayberry Spirits Distillery (mixed drinks & non-alcoholic specialty drinks). Retro attire encouraged!
Purchase your tickets in advance for a discount and easy check-in!
Adults $10 Youth Ages 1-19 $5 Children 11 months and under Free Ticket prices at the door: Adults are $12 and Youth Ages 1-19 are $6. EBT cardholders may purchase tickets at the door for a discounted price through our Museums for All program.
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