WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) - The Summer Moon Festival wrapped up on Sunday, and visitors took one last chance to learn some science and history. 

A retired NASA astronaut talks about going back to the moon to follow in Neil Armstrong's footsteps.

The museum was buzzing with visitors in April for the eclipse, drawing space fans from all over. And they're gearing up for another busy weekend as they celebrate the 55th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's legendary moonwalk. The Summer Moon Fest kicked off earlier this week, with events at the museum and downtown running through Sunday. Free activities and guided tours will allow visitors to experience the Apollo 11 mission up close, giving a glimpse into the life and achievements of Neil Armstrong.

The Summer Moon Festival kicked off in Wapakoneta, and that means residents enjoyed Wapakoneta by Moonlight Tuesday night! To kick off the 55th anniversary celebration of Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 mission to the moon, Downtown Wapakoneta businesses, shops, and restaurants were open late Tuesday night for residents to enjoy. There were also plenty of musicians along Auglaize Street filling the air with some favorite tunes. First on the Moon organizes the Summer Moon Festival each year, and they say Wapakoneta by Moonlight gives people a chance to enjoy the city while celebrating Neil Armstrong.

July 11, 2024, Press Release from the Armstrong Air & Space Museum: WAPAKONETA, OH —The Armstrong Air & Space Museum will be hosting former NASA astronaut Carl Walz as part of the 2024 Wapakoneta Summer Moon Festival on Saturday, July 20th. Walz, an Ohio-native, will make several public and private appearances throughout the day at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum and in downtown Wapakoneta. Walz, who grew up in the Cleveland area, is a well-experienced astronaut, with a total of over 230 days in space. Selected in 1990 as part of NASA’s 13th group of astronauts, Walz flew on four space flights and logged an impressive 3,620 orbits and traveled over 94,500,000 miles in space.

Four retired U.S. Navy men were welcomed to Wapakoneta with open arms for the Summer Moon Fest. They’re called the “Frogmen” because they were the ones to recover Apollo 11 and the astronauts inside after landing in the pacific ocean from their trip to the moon. They’ve been hanging around the Moon Fest all week but sat down inside the Armstrong Air & Space Museum on Friday for meet-and-greets. They recall the day of their mission as if it was just yesterday.

From an American flag, to a piece of the Wright brothers’ first airplane, several special items are now on display in an exhibit at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. Called Apollo 11: to the Moon and Back, people who visit the museum can now see items that are related to the Apollo 11 flight.

As they do every year, the museum holds special activities in honor of the moon landing and Wapakoneta's Moonfest. Of course, COVID-19 have changed the way things are done, but not entirely stopping the celebration. Monday, the museum unveiled their commemorative stamp cover, that are now on sale. They haven't been able to show the Apollo 11 documentary in their theater, but in honor of the anniversary, visitors can view it in their stem center.