Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing at Wright Brothers National Memorial
Wright Brothers National Memorial, in partnership with Outer Banks Forever, First Flight Foundation, and First Flight Society, proudly commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a series of engaging events from July 18-20, 2019.
The festivities begin on the evening of July 18 with a space-themed movie screening at Dowdy Park in Nags Head, sponsored by the First Flight Foundation. Special space-themed ranger programs will run Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 18: Apollo 11 Movie Night
Location: Dowdy Park, Nags Head (Hosted by First Flight Foundation)
Gather the family for an unforgettable outdoor movie night to launch the anniversary celebration! Dress in 1960s attire or space-themed costumes. Bring beach chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets. Enjoy concessions from Manteo Lions Club, OBX Sunset Slushies, and OBX Frozen Yogurt.
Event Schedule:
- 6:30 p.m. – Astro Activities with the National Park Service & First Flight Foundation
- 7:00 p.m. – The Apollo Program with Chris Godart, Wright Brothers National Memorial Volunteer and Docent at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
- 8:00-8:30 p.m. – Movie begins at nightfall: Hidden Figures
Friday, July 19: Homemade Rocket Launch & Ranger Programs
Rocket Launch Location: Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head (Hosted by Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Friends of Jockey’s Ridge)
Build and launch your own rocket at sunset! Join park rangers to explore the science of rocketry that enabled the historic moon landing 50 years ago.
Jockey’s Ridge Schedule:
- 7:00 p.m. – Kids’ activities, including building homemade rockets
- 7:45 p.m. – Group rocket launch before sunset, followed by Sunset on the Ridge ranger program
Wright Brothers National Memorial Schedule:
- 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. – Sand Dunes & Moon Dust (Ranger Program)
- 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. – Events leading to the first powered flight in 1903 and similarities to Apollo 11
- 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. – The Wright Stuff (Ranger Program): Explore the Wright Brothers' legacy from Kitty Hawk to Tranquility Base
Saturday, July 20: One Giant Leap – 50th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing
Location: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills (Hosted by National Park Service, Outer Banks Forever, and First Flight Foundation)
Relive the historic night of July 20, 1969, when crowds gathered at the memorial to watch the moon landing. Enjoy a rebroadcast of the original news coverage outside the visitor center. Park remains open until 9:30 p.m. with waived admission fees. Participate in a costume contest as astronauts or in 1960s attire. Bring chairs or blankets.
Special guest: NASA Astronaut Eric A. Boe (Col., U.S. Air Force, Ret.). Selected in 2000, Boe piloted Space Shuttles Endeavour and Discovery. He contributes to Boeing's crew transportation systems for the International Space Station. Thanks to First Flight Foundation for making his visit possible.
Event Schedule:
- 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. – Sand Dunes & Moon Dust: Parallels between 1903 flight and Apollo 11
- 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. – Planet Walk: Scale model of the solar system
- 12:00 p.m. – Apollo 11, Final Chapter in the Space Race (Chris Godart)
- 2:00 p.m. – Ask an Astronaut with Eric Boe
- 3:00 p.m. – The Wright Stuff: Wright Brothers' legacy to Tranquility Base
- 5:00 p.m. – Meet and Greet with Eric Boe
- 7:00 p.m. – Special Guest Speaker: Eric Boe on spaceflight and Wright Brothers' legacy
- 8:10 p.m. – Walter Cronkite Moon Landing Footage rebroadcast
(NASA Astronaut Eric Boe, one of only 38 active U.S. astronauts at the time.)
(Wright Brothers National Memorial visitors watching the live moon landing broadcast on July 20, 1969.)
(The moon above the First Flight Boulder on July 20, 1969.)
(Visitors outside the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center watching the live moon landing broadcast on July 20, 1969.)
