HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO and Executive Director Dr. Deborah Barnhart will hold a joint news conference Monday, July 16, to announce plans for a citywide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11th lunar landing. The news conference takes place at the USSRC’s Davidson Center for Space Exploration at 2 p.m.
On Monday, the 49th anniversary of Apollo 11’s launch, Mayor Battle and Dr. Barnhart, the Mayor’s appointed Chair of the Rocket City’s 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Celebration, will outline plans to pay tribute to the historic and significant role of the U. S. Army, Dr. Wernher von Braun, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the Huntsville workforce in America’s effort to land on the moon and safely return. They will also announce Dr. von Braun’s family as honorary Chairs of the event.
"NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville played a leading role in building the Saturn V rocket that ultimately carried man to the moon," Mayor Tommy Battle said. "There is no better City to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that remarkable feat than Huntsville in 2019. Today, our community remains fondly known around the globe as the "Rocket City" - both because of our past achievements and the momentum of our continued excellence in aerospace. We encourage our neighbors, both near and far, to visit Huntsville and experience the many planned activities and events as we celebrate one of America's greatest achievements."
Throughout 2019, plans to commemorate the Apollo 11 anniversary events and Alabama’s Bicentennial are underway, including: Panoply 2019’s Alabama Bicentennial and Lunar Landing themes; a Guinness World record attempt at the most simultaneous rocket launches; an Apollo Homecoming Dinner at the U. S. Space & Rocket Center; and dancing in the streets on Courthouse Square. The Apollo 11 mission anniversary week in July 2019 also includes a Celebration Car Show and a concert on July 20, moon-landing day.
“The Committee would like to engage the public as it continues its work to coordinate 50th Anniversary activities with community organizations, government, the arts and entertainment organizations, industry, education and our visitors,” Dr. Barnhart said. “I encourage all of our citizens to be a part of our journey back to the moon and on to Mars.”
A citywide master calendar of events, activities, conferences and other events related to the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Celebration will be consolidated at the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau website (https://www.huntsville.org/).
To join the Rocket City’s 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Celebration efforts, contact Joe Vallely, USSRC Vice President of External Affairs, joe.vallely@spacecamp.com
Media contact: Pat Ammons, pat.ammons@spacecamp.com; 256-721-5429
About U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is home to Space Camp®, Space Camp® Robotics, Aviation Challenge® and U.S. Cyber Camp as well as the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket and world-class traveling exhibits. USSRC is the Official Visitor Center for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal.
To learn more about the exciting programs and activities at the USSRC, go to www.rocketcenter.com.
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