Upcoming events to celebrate the Apollo 11 mission to the moon
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Celebration Car Show
Saturday, July 13
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
No admission charged
www.rocketcenter.com
The special car show is held for the public to witness the vehicles of the time owned by Redstone Arsenal/Marshall Space Flight Center rocket families. It will be limited to those cars built from the end of World War II through the Moon missions, 1945-1975. The star of the show will be the only functionally operational replica of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (Moon Buggy) provided by Polaris. Also featured are two Kellers manufactured by the Huntsville based Keller Motors and the Chrysler Aerospace – Huntsville designed Dodge Daytona Charger #71. In addition, cars owned and driven by key managers and engineers involved in the design and development of the Huntsville-based rockets can be seen. One of those is a 1954 Pontiac Star Chieftain. Astronauts and engineers will be in attendance for conversation at this exclusive car show.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Informal Mixer
Sunday, July 14
5-8 p.m.
Campus No. 805
2620 Clinton Avenue
No Admission Charged, food available for purchase.
Kick off Apollo Celebration Launch Week with this chance to meet and greet local, national and international visitors. Food is available for purchase from various Campus No. 805 restaurants.
To Land on the Moon: Huntsville and the Apollo Program
Sunday, July 14-31
Recurring daily
UAH M. Louis Salmon Library Art Gallery
301 Sparkman Dr NW
(256) 824-4688
No admission charged
This exhibit highlights the roles of Huntsville and its inhabitants and their contributions to the early space race and the Apollo program. The majority of the materials on display are housed in UAH Special Collections and Archives.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will host a variety of events and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 landing on the moon. UAH has played a key role in America’s space program since Marshall Space Flight Center Director Dr. Wernher von Braun helped create the university’s Research Institute in the early 1960s. Since that time, UAH has become a leading research university in aerospace engineering.
UAH ranks 5th in the nation in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, according to the National Science Foundation. The campus is also 11th in the U.S. in NASA-sponsored research, according to the NSF.
UAH Salmon Library Special Collections and Archives Apollo 50th Open House
Sunday, July 14
2-5 p.m.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville Salmon Library
4700 Holmes Ave NW
(256) 824-6523
No admission charged
The University of Alabama in Huntsville Salmon Library Archives and Special Collections will host an afternoon of Apollo history. The event will include behind-the-scenes tours of the archives, a showing of the documentary When We Were Apollo, an opportunity to to record your personal memories of Apollo, and an Apollo history exhibit curated by Archives and Special Collections staff. Light refreshments with a 1960’s theme will be served.
Concert in the Park: A Tribute to Space
Monday, July 15
6:30 -8:30 p.m.
Big Spring International Park
200 Church Street
No admission charged
JED Eye and Big Daddy Kingfish will be performing music from the 1960s in celebration of the lunar landing in the summer of 1969. Food trucks will be on site and leashed pets welcome.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Celebration Launch Day
Tuesday, July 16
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged
On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins launched Apollo 11 on a mission to the moon. The US Space & Rocket Center will commemorate the efforts of NASA, contractors and specifically, Marshall Space Flight Center workforce dedicated to the success of the mission. Complimentary with museum admission is the opportunity to launch six different types of rockets and take home a commemorative Apollo 11 fling rocket.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Global Rocket Launch
Tuesday, July 16
Starting at 8:32 a.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
www.rocketcenter.com/apollo50/GlobalRocketLaunch
The launch of Apollo 11 brought the world closer together in a moment of celebration for mankind’s monumental achievement, and 50 years later, Huntsville and Space Camp want your help bringing the world together again to celebrate another awe-inspiring launch—YOUR launch! Join in the worldwide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch on July 16, 2019 by launching your own rocket! All types of rockets are welcome, and no launch is too small so start spreading the word and get ready to celebrate.
Calling all teachers, scout leaders, community leaders, families, friends, and rocket enthusiasts of all ages around the world! Wherever you are, we want you to join in the celebration with a rocket launch! The Global Rocket Launch Challenge is open to anyone who wants to participate, whether your group is large or small, or even a party of one.
Sign up today and get ready to countdown to July 16. Note: The US Space & Rocket Center will be attempting its own Guinness World Record on Global Launch Day. Others are encouraged to conduct their own launches at their own locations.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Guinness Book of World Records Rocket Launch
Tuesday, July 16
Starting at 8:32 a.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
www.rocketcenter.com
The US Space & Rocket Center will attempt to break the world record by launching 5000 model rockets simultaneously at the exact time of the Apollo 11 launch on July 16, 1969. In addition, model rockets will be launched around the world at 8:32 a.m. CST in each time zone during a 24-hour period.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration Dinner & Program
Tuesday, July 16
Starting at 5 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
(256) 721-7100
Admission charged
www.rocketcenter.com/Apollo50
Celebrate the era of “When We Went to the Moon” with an all hands summer dinner and program at the USSRC. The entire community will join with invited VIP guests, including moonwalker Harrison Schmitt and Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Al Worden for the celebration. This Apollo Homecoming celebrates decades of the nation’s historic space accomplishments and will look forward beyond today, when we return to the Moon and Mars. The Brass Band of Huntsville will perform the world premiere of “The Von Braun Suite”. Attire is summer cocktail.
Aerospace States Association Annual Awards Dinner
Wednesday, July 17
Starting at 6:30 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Saturn V Hall
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged, reservations required.
www.rocketcenter.com
Dr. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin is scheduled to make the keynote address and the public is invited to purchase tickets to this event that runs from 6:30 pm until 9 p.m. The Aerospace States Association is a nonpartisan group whose membership includes lieutenant governors, governor-appointed delegates and associate members from aerospace organizations and academia. Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth is national chair of the association, and the dinner is part of the group’s ASA Annual Aerospace Policy Summit. Attire is business cocktail.
One Small Step: Apollo 11 Reflections
Wednesday, July 17-20
Recurring daily
Exhibit Wed-Sat 12-6 p.m., Artist reception Fri 6-8 p.m.
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment 1st Floor Connector
2211 Seminole Drive
(256) 683-5554
No admission charged
www.lowemill.net
Join the Lowe Mill A&E artists and makers for an artistic celebration 50 years in the making!
All works will be created by Lowe Mill A&E artists and makers and feature creative interpretations of the moon landing. All works for this show will be no larger than 1 foot x 1 foot or “One Small Step”. Step into the past while we contemplate our future.
Biergarten
Thursday, July 18
4:30 – 7:30 pm
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
No admission charged. Food and drink for purchase.
www.rocketcenter.com/Biergarten
Stein and Dine during Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Launch Week! Visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Saturn V Hall in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration for the German Biergarten, featuring authentic German cuisine crafted by renowned chefs David Oreskovich and Jason Williams.
Space Authors Book Signing and Reception
Thursday, July 18
Starting: 4:30 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Saturn V Hall
One Tranquility Base
The Rocket City has inspired many authors to tell the stories of people and places involved in the Space Race and beyond. Some of them will be on hand to sell and sign space-related books at this Apollo 11 50th Anniversary event.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Dancing in the Streets
Friday, July 19
5-9 p.m.
Downtown Huntsville
100 Northside Square
No admission charged
“My friends, there was dancing here in the streets of Huntsville when our first satellite orbited the earth, and there was dancing again when the first Americans landed on the moon. I’d like to ask you don’t hang up your dancing slippers.” Wernher Von Braun
On July 19, 1969, Huntsvillians gathered downtown to celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing. Relive that glory day by joining space enthusiasts as they dance in the streets once again. Musical performances themed to the last five decades will take place on each side of the Historic Downtown Square. There will be exhibits from Apollo, Space Shuttle, and International Space Station all the way to SLS! A projection experience will end the evening and inspire the latest endeavor of space exploration. The Food Truck All Stars event will move to the square for the occasion.
Lunar Rover Walk
Friday, July 19
5-6 p.m.
Von Braun Center Arena patio
700 Monroe Street
No admission charged
Visitors and residents are invited to join in the Apollo 11 50th anniversary celebration at this introduction of the Polaris® working replica of the Lunar Rover Vehicle. Mayor Tommy Battle will escort the LRV through the route. Follow along to the Courthouse Square for a beach ball drop signaling the start of Dancing in the Streets, a party marking the moon landing in 1969.
The route from the Von Braun Center is south on Monroe St, east on Williams Ave, north on Madison St to the square.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Worship Service
Sunday, July 20
Starting at 4 p.m.
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
208 Eustis Avenue
(256) 533-2455
No admission charged
Visitors and residents are invited to attend this special service. Prayers of thanksgiving for God’s work of Creation and hymns of praise will be included in the order of worship. Guest speaker will be Dr. Margrit Von Braun (daughter of Dr. Wernher Von Braun). Members of Nativity who have been or are currently playing a role in the Space Program will be recognized.
Lunar Landing Fireworks Celebration
Sunday, July 20
Starting: 8:30 p.m.
University of Alabama in Huntsville
301 Sparkman Dr NW
No admission charged
A fireworks show will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Parking is available on the UAH campus for the show which is expected to last 10 minutes.
Rocket City Summer Fest Moon Landing Concert
Sunday, July 20
Gates open at 6 p.m., performance at 7 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged
www.rocketcenter.com
This year’s annual Summer Fest will celebrate the actual moon landing day 50 years ago with others around the world. The Party of the Year show is produced by Black Jacket Symphony. A spectacular fireworks display will end the night’s festivities.
ONGOING
Follow the Moon Huntsville by INTUITIVE
July 11-20
Recurring daily
Have you seen the 10 ft tall moon yet, hanging around Huntsville? It’s pretty awesome, and a great way to celebrate the festivities for the Apollo Celebration.
We invite you to “Follow the Moon”, sponsored by the Apollo 11 Golden Anniversary Sponsor Intuitive Research and Technology, around Huntsville. Take a ‘moonshot’ of yourself, your family, your children and post it on social media using the hashtags #itsintuitive, #visitthemoonhsv and #ihearthsv for a chance to be featured on INTUITIVE’S social media platforms, as well as the CVB, for a chance to win FREE INTUITIVE Planetarium tickets.
Teasers will be provided to the community each day about where the moon can be viewed – but here’s a glimpse of where you might see the giant moon:
#visitthemoonhsv can be found at the following locations:
7/15: Yellowhammer Brewing – Monday evening during the Rocket City Summer Fest: A night at Yellowhammer Brewing
7/16: Guinness World Record Rocket Launch, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
7/16: Apollo 11 Homecoming Dinner, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
7/19: Apollo 50th Post Launch Celebration, Courthouse Square, hosted by DHI
7/20: Moon Landing Concert, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Where will you land on the moon?
A New Moon Rises: Views from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
Through August 11
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street
(256) 535-4350
Admission charged
www.hsvmuseum.org
As the 50th anniversary of man’s first step on the moon nears, get ready to see the moon like never before. A New Moon Rises features amazing, large-scale, high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface taken over the last decade. Captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), the images are stunning: from historic Apollo landing sites to towering mountains rising out of the darkness of the lunar poles. Special admission price on Thursdays after 5 pm.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Celebration Moon Landing Reenactments
Through December 31
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged
Experience a live reenactment of the lunar landing daily at 2 p.m in the Davidson Center.
Apollo: When We Went to the Moon
Through December 31
Recurring daily
From: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged
www.rocketcenter.com
To celebrate the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary, this exhibit will highlight what was “the Great Space Race”.
Rockets on Parade
Through December 31
Recurring daily
www.rocketcenter.com
Have you spotted any of the miniature Space Launch System replicas displayed around town? In July 2019, the Rocket City will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s historic journey to the moon and look to the future of space exploration with a celebration of America’s Next Great Ship, NASA’s Space Launch System. Rockets on Parade is a way to note our city’s ongoing contributions to the American space program with designs specific to the Rocket City, the monumental achievements of the Apollo program, the future of space travel or through unique artistic expression. See how many you can find while exploring.
Space Craze: A Space-Age Journey Through Pop Culture
Recurring daily
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged
Space Craze explores the public fascination with all things space through the lens of popular culture as seen in everyday household items, toys and games, and popular entertainment. This nostalgic exhibit features touchstones across generations of artifacts from G.I. Joe to Snoopy to commemorative memorabilia. The exhibit is part of the yearlong celebration of the 50th Anniversary Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
www.rocketcenter.com
To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA
Through July 27
Recurring daily
Huntsville Public Library
915 Monroe Street
No admission charged
In partnership with the Greater Huntsville Humane Society (GHHS), this traveling exhibit is on display at the Downtown Huntsville Library from June 3-July 27. Visitors will see Snoopy’s trip to the moon in the March 1969 Peanuts strip series and learn about NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award program. Sponsored by the Huntsville Library Foundation and RUAG.
