When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first stepped on the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969, the world was changed forever. Not only did the landing reflect an enormous American victory but it served as a scientific advancement that has inspired young minds for 57 years. Each July, the scientific community celebrates Moon Day to honor this achievement. At the Frontiers of Flight Museum, Moon Day will be celebrated Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., taking a look at the past, present and future of space exploration.
The Frontiers of Flight Museum has observed Moon Day since 2009 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 to the Smithsonian-affiliated museum will enjoy interactive activities, unique exhibits and space-themed presentations for the entire community.
Additionally, they’ll view authentic space history including the Apollo 7 Command Module and the only moon rock on display in North Texas.
Guests will also be able to hear from a legendary American astronaut. Col. Carl Walz, USAF, Retired, will be the keynote speaker for Moon Day, telling attendees about his 231 days in space over four space flights including the 196-day Expedition-4 mission on the International Space Station. Walz spent more than 18 hours on three spacewalks, evaluating tools for the Hubble Space Telescope refurbishment and outfitting the International Space Station. Walz will speak at 1:30 p.m.
Another highlight of the day is a screening of “The Day We Walked on the Moon,” the landmark documentary commemorating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. The film features actor Mark Armstrong, son of Neil Armstrong. NASA heroes included in the documentary include Mike Collins, who piloted the Apollo Command Module; Flight Director Gene Kranz and Apollo CAPCOM Charlie Duke. The film is complemented by the thoughts of leading scientists including astrophysicist Dr. Brian May, better known as the lead guitarist for the British band Queen.
“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. “Our hands-on activities and unique exhibits make for an enjoyable, educational day.”
While enjoying Moon Day activities, families are encouraged to explore the Frontiers of Flight Museum’s more than 40 air and space vehicles, 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.
Tickets for Moon Day are available here.
As an institution committed to education, the Frontiers of Flight offers special programming for K-12 teachers. Pre-registration is required; please email education@flightmuseum.com to gain access to the form. Upon arrival, teachers will visit the Information Booth at the event to sign in and receive a tracking sheet. You may earn up to six credit hours by attending the entire day and enough presentations. You will receive your certificate after turning in the tracking sheet.
Frontiers of Flight Museum is located at 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, Texas, adjacent to Dallas Love Field. Regular hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for youth ages 3 to 12, $10 for seniors 65 and up, and children 2 and younger are free. To learn more about the museum, visit flightmuseum.com or follow it on Instagram @frontiersofflightmuseum and Facebook here.
Frontiers of Flight Museum
6911 Lemmon Ave.
Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 350-3600
About Frontiers of Flight Museum
Located at Dallas Love Field Airport, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and one of North Texas’s premier destinations for aviation and space flight history. Housed in a 100,000-square-foot facility, the Museum features more than 35,000 artifacts, including rare aircraft, spacecraft, and flight memorabilia, highlighting the innovation and achievements that have shaped aerospace exploration.
Founded in 1988 and reestablished in its current location in 2004, the Museum brings the wonder of flight to life through immersive exhibits, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) focused educational programs, summer camps, planetarium experiences, and community outreach. With a mission to educate, motivate, and inspire all generations through the wonder of flight, the Museum features engaging exhibits, historic aircraft, and hands-on learning opportunities that connect visitors to the past, present, and future of aviation. The Museum is deeply committed to advancing access to STEM education for all and serves as a hub for curiosity, discovery, and empowerment. The Frontiers of Flight Museum is a global tourist destination that draws more than 160,000 visitors every year, including over 72,000 kids, with a new museum store for guests to purchase a variety of local artisan goods, interactive STEM kits, and aviation mementos as tangible takeaways to keep the spark of exploration alive long after guests leave the building. To learn more or plan your visit, go to flightmuseum.com.
