Buffalo State set to celebrate 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing on Saturday

Buffalo State will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in the Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center. Hosted by the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium, the event will include hands-on activities, Apollo trivia, rocket simulations, exhibits, lectures and videos, all dedicated to the first moon landing. Space-themed food and refreshments also will be served.

Kevin Williams, associate professor in the earth sciences and science education department and director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium, said people have a connection to the moon, because it’s easily viewed from earth. That’s part of what made the moon landing so special in 1969.

“The moon has always been a main interest of mine, because it’s so easy to see,” Williams said. “It’s not like, ‘OK, that little dot there is Mars.’ You can look at the moon and see differences between the light and dark regions.”

The moon landing was also special, Williams said, because of what it meant to people around the county and the world at a time of crisis at home and abroad.

“The moon landing was a beacon of hope for people around the world,” he said, noting most people who were alive for it remember where they were when it happened. “People thought, ‘If we can do that, then things might not be so bad.’ ”

The cost to attend the moon landing event is $10 per person for ages 13 and up, $5 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under 4. The deadline to register is noon on Wednesday, July 17. Call 716-878-6001 with questions.