Celebrate the First Steps on the Moon In Neil Armstrong’s Hometown!

54th Anniversary Celebration

Schedule:

Tuesday,  July 18, 2023

Downtown Wapakoneta

5pm – 11pm: Wapakoneta by Moonlight
Join us for an evening of dining, shopping, tours, and entertainment in our historic downtown!  Check out the Facebook Event to see the list of shops open late and local musicians playing on the street! This event is the official start of the 2023 Summer Moon Festival with six days of activities scheduled downtown, at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum and at the Performing Arts Center.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

10am – 5pm: Costumed astronaut photo opportunities throughout the day.
Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

10am – 5pm: Armstrong World Record Exhibit
During his time as a test pilot and astronaut, Neil Armstrong broke several world records.  A new exhibit to showcase these records is now available in the Modern Space Gallery. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

12pm – 12:30pm: Gemini VIII Capsule Chat
A member of the museum staff will be giving a 30 minute in-depth talk at the Gemini VIII capsule, discussing the exciting details of Neil Armstrong's first space mission. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Wapakoneta Middle School PickleBall Courts

8am: Wapakoneta Family YMCA PickleBall Tournament
Join us for first ever PickleBall Tournament during the Summer Moon Festival!  The Wapakoneta YMCA is hosting a non-sanctioned round robin tournament for all ages!  Download a registration form here, make sure you register early to get a t-shirt!

Wapakoneta High School Performing Arts Center

6:30pm: Miss Summer Moon Pageant
Join us for the 2023 Miss Summer Moon Scholarship Pageant sponsored by Steinke Family Chiropractic! This year's event will take place at the Wapakoneta City Schools Performing Arts Center on July 19 at 7pm. Doors will open at 6! Admission is $7 at the door!  Learn more here.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

10am-5pm: Armstrong World Record Exhibit
During his time as a test pilot and astronaut, Neil Armstrong broke several world records.  A new exhibit to showcase these records is now available in the Modern Space Gallery. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

10am-5pm: Costumed Astronaut Photo-op
As you explore the museum and events on the grounds look out for astronauts!  They'll be photo opportunities throughout the day so keep your camera ready!  Plan your visit at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

12pm-12:30pm: Gemini VIII Capsule Chat
A member of the museum staff will be giving a 30 minute in-depth talk at the Gemini VIII capsule, discussing the exciting details of Neil Armstrong's first space mission. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Downtown Wapakoneta

4pm: Festival Opening Ceremony and Beer Tapping
The keg will be officially tapped and the fun will begin Downtown!

4:30pm: Stage-Tobi Lee
She is returning to Moonfest Stage after her 2019 spectacular performance with her band Mustang Sally.   Preview her sound at https://www.tobilee.net/

4pm - 9pm: Family Zone in Heritage Park
Join us on the riverfront in Heritage Park for Carnival games and prizes for the whole family! We have doubled the size adding a zipline, large slide, bounce houses, a photo booth and more. We also have sugar waffles, cotton candy and slushies!

7pm: Bed Races
Come watch this hilarious and very wild race down Perry Street involving beds, an obstacle course, water and mayhem.  Fastest Teams win the glory and the honor of a donation to the charity of their choice.  Email the Bed Races Registration to [email protected] to get registered.

8pm - 11pm: Stage - Fairly Local Band
Wapakoneta cover band playing modern rock, classic rock, alternative, pop, and country songs

9pm: Beer Stein Holding Contest  MASSKRUGSTEMMEN!!!
Come to the main stage to watch this crazy fun endurance challenge as contestants attempt to hold a full stein of beer the longest. Want to enter? Register at the Beer Tent with your name and $20 and make your way to the front of the stage before the start time. All participants get to keep their Stein!!! Must be 21 to enter!

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

10am - 12pm: Cancellation Cover
The Museum has a special cancellation cover each year to commemorate the moon landing, stop by the Museum store to have you stamps cancelled. Plan your visit at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

10am - 5pm: Costumed Astronaut Photo-op
As you explore the museum and events on the grounds look out for astronauts!  They'll be photo opportunities throughout the day so keep your camera ready!  Plan your visit at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

10am - 5pm: Armstrong World Record Exhibit
During his time as a test pilot and astronaut, Neil Armstrong broke several world records.  A new exhibit to showcase these records is now available in the Modern Space Gallery. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

12-12:30pm: Outdoor Exhibit Tour
Take a walk through our outdoor exhibit area.  Learn more about the details of the  record breaking LearJet and more (weather permitting).

Friday, July 21, 2023

Downtown Wapakoneta

3pm - 9pm: Annual Car Show
Enjoy a stroll through an amazing collection of classic cars while taking in all the great activities happening downtown.  Registration 3-6:30pm so get your ride ready.  Contact Gary McElroy at 419-235-4596.

4pm: Festival Opens
Kegs have been tapped and food trucks are all back open for Friday night fun.

4pm - 9pm: Family Zone in Heritage Park
Join us behind town on Heritage Drive for carnival games and prizes for the whole family!  We have a zipline, bounce houses, a large slide, a photo booth and more!

4pm - 9pm: 5th Annual Moon Market
An annual vendor market in downtown Wapakoneta featuring 60 curated vendors of clothing, jewelry, handmade soaps, candles and more. Follow them on Facebook to learn more about this year's vendors from Ohio and beyond!

5pm: Stage - Truck Stop Manners
Making their Wapak Festival debut, preview their sound at https://www.facebook.com/TruckStopManners.

6:30pm: Corn Hole Tournament
Bring your partner to play in our annual 20+ team tournament!  Double Elimination tournament with a beer bar close at hand.  Pre-registration available until 3pm on Thursday, July 20th for $20. On-site registration available until 5:30. On site registration is $30 per team. Teams must be on-site and checked in by 6:20. Teams are welcome to bring their own bags. Register completing this form.  Bags fly at 6:30pm.

9pm: Stage - Naked Karate Girls
Back again for SMF and ready to party!

10pm: Beer Stein Holding Contest  MASSKRUGSTEMMEN!!!
Come to the main stage to watch this crazy fun endurance challenge as contestants attempt to hold a full stein of beer the longest.
Want to enter? Register at the Beer Tent with your name and $20 and make your way to the front of the stage before the start time. All participants get to keep their Stein!!! Must be 21!

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

10am - 5pm: Costumed Astronaut Photo-op
As you explore the museum and events on the grounds look out for astronauts!  They'll be photo opportunities throughout the day so keep your camera ready!  Plan your visit at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

10am - 5pm: Armstrong World Record Exhibit
During his time as a test pilot and astronaut, Neil Armstrong broke several world records.  A new exhibit to showcase these records is now available in the Modern Space Gallery. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

12-12:30pm: Gemini VIII Capsule Chat
A member of the museum staff will give a 30 minute in-depth talk at the Gemini VIII capsule, discussing the exciting details of Neil Armstrong's first space mission.

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Downtown Wapakoneta

8am: Fishing Derby
Enjoy a morning along the Auglaize River in the new Heritage Park.  All ages welcome, ages 12 and under please have an adult present, don't forget your Fishing Derby Registration and a pole.

8:30am-12:30pm: Wapak Farmers' Market
Open every Saturday in the Auglaize County Courthouse parking lot you'll find vendors selling produce, baked goods, honey and more.

9am-3pm: RC Fun Run
Kids and adults alike love driving RC cars on the Dad's Toy Shop course. Bring your own cars or try out the DTS fleet. Learn how to do cool stunts. It's a great time for spectators too!  Check out the event on Facebook for more details.

11am: Festival Opens
Kegs have been tapped and food trucks are all back open for a full day of fun.

11am - 6pm: Antique Tractor Show
The Buckeye Antique Tractor Club is back at Moonfest to showcase their amazing tractors! Enjoy the stroll down Auglaize Street while you visit the Summer Moon Festival on Saturday!

11am - 6pm: 5th Annual Moon Market
An annual vendor market in downtown Wapakoneta featuring 60 curated vendors of clothing, jewelry, handmade soaps, candles and more. Follow them on Facebook to learn more about this year's vendors from Ohio and beyond!

11am - 9pm: Family Zone in Heritage Park
Join us behind town on Heritage Drive for Carnival games and prizes for the whole family!  Zipline, bounce houses, large slide, a photo booth and more.

12pm: Show off your paddle skills on the Auglaize River.  Come as early as 10am to get on the water.  Get the registration form here.

1pm - 2:30pm: Stage - Lauren Jean
As seen on American Idol!  Come see Lauren Jean live!

3pm - 6pm: Stage - T102 Country Star Playoffs
Rowdy Ron & JB In The Morning are back on the road with Exploit for the best local singing competition!

3pm: Astronaut Meet & Greet
Meet NASA Astronaut Donald Thomas, PhD and learn about his space career and connection to Neil Armstrong.  Autograph time will be provided.

4:30pm: Pageant Meet & Greet
Each year the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Wapakoneta Miss Summer Moon Festival Scholarship Pageant.  Meet the 13 contestants and learn more about their "littles" or "mentees" who are getting to experience the pageant alongside them!  Follow the pageant on Facebook here.

5pm: Kiddie Tractor Pull
Join us behind town on Heritage Drive for a classic Kiddie Tractor Pull!  Ages 3-8 boys and girls are invited to sign up and give it a try!  Get registered at the Game Tent, this event is free to register. You can register here!

6pm: Stage - Downtown Wapakoneta Partnership's Golf Cart Raffle
Support the Downtown Wapakoneta Partnership in their mission to keep Downtown Wapakoneta a great place to live, work and play.  Get your ticket in advance online here or at your favorite downtown business!

6:30pm: Weiner Dog Races
A family and dog-lover favorite!  Register your Weiner Dog to show its the fastest around!  Email Weiner Dog Registration forms to [email protected] or bring your form (and two dog handlers) the day of the race!

8pm: Stage - Another Round
A Premier Classic Rock Band that's locally grown!  You won't want to miss this fan favorite band!
Preview their sound early on their website!

10pm: Beer Stein Holding Contest  MASSKRUGSTEMMEN!!!
Come to the main stage to watch this crazy fun endurance challenge as contestants attempt to hold a full stein of beer the longest.
Want to enter? Register at the Beer Tent with your name and $20 and make your way to the front of the stage before the start time. All participants get to keep their Stein!!! Must be 21 to enter!

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

7:30am - 11am: Run to the Moon 5K/10K
Race starts at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. See you at the Moon!  Register online here by July 8th.

7:30am - 5pm: KONA Ice frozen treats available on the museum's north lawn if you need to cool off. ($)

12pm-5pm: Inflatable rides located on the museum's south lawn.  Kids can put their skills to the test in our free inflatable rides located on the museum's south lawn.

12:30-1:30pm: Astronaut meet & greet in STEM center Frogman in outdoor pavilion.
Meet NASA Astronaut Donald Thomas, PhD and learn about his space career and connection to Neil Armstrong.  Autograph time will be provided.

12:30pm-5pm: Lima Astronomical Society
Lima Astronomical Society on the museum's north lawn will be ready to talk about the sky with telescopes in hand.  Ask them about the stars, planets, nebulas, galaxies and anything else they can see in their telescopes. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

12:30pm-5pm: Wright State Rocketeers
Truly a fan favorite, this group of rocket builders will be giving periodic rocket demonstrations throughout the day. Be the group's countdown clock as they lift-off your rocket! The rocketeers will be available only on Saturday and Sunday and will be found on the museum's southwest lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Parachute Museum activity on the museum's north lawn.
They'll have amazing items on display to share the impressive history of jumping out of planes!

12:30pm-5pm: Lunar Rover Replica Demonstrations
Lunar Rover display and demos on the museum's southwest lawn.  Learn about the complexity of driving a vehicle on the lunar surface and explore the interesting history of the museum's replica, perhaps even catch a driving demo too!

12:30pm-5pm: Face Painting
Art Me! face painting will be available on the Museum's north lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Balloon Artist
Balloon tying on the Museum's north lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Education tent activities on the museum's north lawn.
Our STEM education tent will have fun, science-based, activities for kids to test out. These activities include stomp rockets, water rocket demos, Mentos-geyser demos, circuit-building, energy sticks, static-electricity and bubble demos, balloon twisting, face-painting, and more.

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Wapakoneta High School Performing Arts Center

7pm: Lima Area Concert Band
Doors open at 6pm. Concert is free sponsored by First on the Moon Inc.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

12pm-5pm: Inflatable rides located on the museum's south lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Kona Ice frozen treats available on the museum's north lawn. ($)

12:30pm-5pm: Wright State Rocketeers
Truly a fan favorite, this group of rocket builders will be giving periodic rocket demonstrations throughout the day. Be the group's countdown clock as they lift-off your rocket! The rocketeers will be available only on Saturday and Sunday and will be found on the museum's southwest lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Lima Astronomical Society
Lima Astronomical Society on the museum's north lawn will be ready to talk about the sky with telescopes in hand.  Ask them about the stars, planets, nebulas, galaxies and anything else they can see in their telescopes. Hours and more at www.armstrongmuseum.org.

12:30pm-5pm: Parachute Museum activity on the museum's north lawn.
They'll have amazing items on display to share the impressive history of jumping out of planes! Check out the Museum's entire schedule of events here.

12:30pm-5pm: Education tent activities on the museum's north lawn.
Our STEM education tent will have fun, science-based, activities for kids to test out. These activities include stomp rockets, water rocket demos, Mentos-geyser demos, circuit-building, energy sticks, static-electricity and bubble demos, balloon twisting, face-painting, and more.

12:30-5pm: Face Painting
Art Me! Face Painting will be available on the Museum's north lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Balloon Art
Balloon tying will be available on the Museum's north lawn.

12:30pm-5pm: Lunar Rover Replica Demonstrations
Lunar Rover display and demos on the museum's southwest lawn.  Learn about the complexity of driving a vehicle on the lunar surface and explore the interesting history of the museum's replica, perhaps even catch a driving demo too!

Date: Tuesday,  July 18, 2023 - Sunday, July 23, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Wapakoneta, OH

Click here For More Information