Las Cruces, NM – The Las Cruces Space Festival will return on March 30th- April 4th 2020, providing a week of free space-related activities and events for all ages. Here is a statement from the Las Cruces Space Festival:
The Las Cruces Space Festival is an annual celebration to recognize space-related activity and interest in southern New Mexico and beyond. We aim to raise awareness in our community and beyond of space-related activity in the region- past, present and future. We are working with the Las Cruces Public Schools and New Mexico State University to educate and inspire youth of all ages. We celebrate the anniversary of human spaceflight, known as Yuri’s Night, which lands on Easter Sunday in 2020. The Festival aims to provide entertainment and fun for all as well as enable an economic impact in Doña Ana and Sierra Counties. We are also looking to support the development and needs of a sustainable Spaceport.
“The Festival is run by volunteers who work in the space industry in New Mexico” says Festival Director Alice Carruth, “We want to showcase the exciting work that is going on in Doña Ana and Sierra Counties. The 2019 Las Cruces Space Festival had over 5,000 attendees across the seven days and a further 3,000 people visited the pop-up ‘Our Place In Space’ art exhibition at eight locations around the City. We know there is interest in learning more about the work going on at Spaceport America, NASA WSTF, WSMR, and with the companies operating there, and this is our chance to provide that information and give back to our community.”
The Festival’s theme, established in 2018, is “Making Space for Everyone.” Events will begin with space-related lesson plans in Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) and at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The Festival Executive Team is working with both institutions to provide guest speakers that cover topics already in the curriculum.
The Challenger Learning Center, a simulated space mission facility that uses role-play and immersive hands-on activities to engage youth of all ages in problem-solving tasks, will be providing free events throughout the week at their 505 S. Main St location and will also be bringing activities into LCPS classrooms.
Presentations from leaders in the Space Industry will be delivered at venues around Las Cruces and will be free and open to the public throughout the Festival week. The Rio Grande Theatre will showcase space-themed movies, and art exhibitions will run throughout the Festival.
Festival content is still in the early stages of planning but there will be a career showcase, stargazing opportunities and lots of hands-on activities for all ages. The Festival is looking for sponsors and businesses that wish to participate in the 2020 Festival. For more information, and to participate in the festival, contact lcspacefestival@gmail.com
The Las Cruces Space Festival will provide an incredible opportunity for youth to learn about and get excited about space, and for older generations to celebrate the impact that space has had in their daily lives. For all lovers of space and all those with a growing curiosity, the Space Festival will bring education, entertainment and fun together in one package, with some of the key organizations behind regional space activity involved, and it promises to provide something for everyone.
Event partners include New Mexico State University, City of Las Cruces, Visit Las Cruces, Las Cruces Public Schools, Spaceport America, Virgin Galactic, NASA White Sands Test Facility, Jacobs Technology, New Mexico Space Grant, NASA White Sands Test Facility, KTAL Community Radio, Las Cruces Challenger Learning Center, Insights El Paso Science Center, and the Rio Grande Theatre.