Moon Day 2023 celebrates not only the 54th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, but also showcases the past, present and future of space exploration. On Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field will host Moon Day activities that include family-oriented, space-themed exhibits and presentations geared toward all ages. The event is free with museum admission.
The keynote speaker for the day is the man who holds the No. 5 spot for greatest total length of time a U.S. astronaut has spent in space. With 388 days in space, retired Astronaut Shane Kimbrough, who began his NASA career in 2004, is only the fourth person to ever fly on three different spacecraft. During his expeditions, the native Texan completed nine space walks.
Moon Day was created in 2009 by the 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 STEM-focused, space-themed public event, which continues to attract attendees across North Texas and beyond.
Visitors will enjoy a full day of activities featuring space-related displays from more than 20 exhibitors and talks by more than a half-dozen speakers on topics ranging from “Touring the Moon: An Excursion Across the Lunar Landscape” to “Our Sun, Moon and Mars: Interactions and Exploration.”
“We hold this event each year to inspire the next generation of space explorers, who come from diverse backgrounds and cultures,” said Frontiers of Flight Museum CEO Abigail Erickson-Torres. “It’s a privilege to host Astronaut Shane Kimbrough, and thank this brave, heroic and humble individual for sharing his story with us.”
While enjoying Moon Day activities, families are encouraged to explore the Frontiers of Flight Museum’s more than 40 air and space vehicles including the Apollo 7 command module, 20 galleries and displays and more than 35,000 historic artifacts. Kids can fly to any destination they can imagine, become air traffic controllers in the Frontiers of Flight Museum Airport Control Tower, even practice being a Jumbo Jet pilot! Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can also earn badges – check the museum’s website to learn more.
Frontiers of Flight’s Moon Day event is sponsored by The Hamilton Family, Randall Reed’s Planet Lincoln, First United, PlainsCapital Bank and Canopy.
EVENT INFORMATION
What: Moon Day at Frontiers of Flight Museum
Where: Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas.
When: Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Presentation
Schedule: 11 a.m. “Remembering Walt and Apollo 11,” Bruce Bleakley
“Touring the Moon: An Excursion Across the Lunar Landscape,” Dr. Billye Cheek
“Lunar Crash Course,” Frontiers of Flight Museum Education Department
Noon “Apollo Moon Landing and Moon Phases,” Professor Chaz Hafey
“The Fight to Flight,” Frontiers of Flight Museum Education Department
1:30 p.m. Keynote Address, Astronaut Shane Kimbrough
“Sun, Moon and You!” Frontiers of Flight Museum Education Department
2:45 p.m. “Our Sun, Moon and Mars: Interactions and Exploration,” Cynthia and Dietrich Whisennand
Astronaut Autograph Session*, Astronaut Shane Kimbrough
* Limit one item autographed per family
Tickets: Adults, $12
Seniors (65+), $10
Youths (3-17), $9
Children 2 and younger, FREE
Information: flightmuseum.com
ABOUT FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT MUSEUM
The Frontiers of Flight Museum has over 35 space vehicles and aircraft from a replica of the Wright Flyer to the one-of-a-kind “Flying Pancake,” the Apollo 7 spacecraft, 18 galleries, and over 35,000 historical artifacts on display.
The Museum is conveniently located just north of downtown at 6911 Lemmon Avenue at the southeast side of Dallas Love Field Airport, north of Mockingbird Lane. Housed in a modern 100,000-square-foot facility, the Museum provides a focal point to explore the history and progress of aviation and spaceflight as the human race