50th Anniversary of Apollo 11

WRITTEN BY: Tracee Baker, Designer, Cocoa Beach Explorer

There is just nothing quite like a rocket launch. The anticipation of the countdown, the blindingly bright flames of ignition, and then the growing rumble of over 7 million pounds of thrust which culminates in a thunderous roar that you can feel as much as hear. Even for those of us lucky enough to grow up on the Space Coast, it never gets old.

I grew up listening to my dad’s stories of his years (1964-1971) working at “The Cape”. Stories about the astronauts he met and the amazing things he witnessed; he was lucky enough to witness history firsthand. As my mom told me, “It was everyday stuff to us…we just didn’t realize the moment.” But a moment it was, and this July we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and man’s first steps on the Moon!

To celebrate this momentous accomplishment, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is hosting events from July 12-July 16 highlighting Apollo 11 and the exploration efforts that have followed. Downtown Cocoa Beach will be host to the Astronaut Parade and Street Party on July 13th with astronauts riding down A1A in Corvettes. Talk about 1960s nostalgia!

Below is a listing of the activities the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has planned. Some of the events are ticketed events. Tickets, prices and additional information can be found on their website at www.astronautscholarship.org/celebratingapollo

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019

ASTRONAUT GOLF TOURNAMENT

Celebrate the first man to play golf on the moon, Alan Shepard. Take a shot with his replica club and join other national heroes on the virtual links. Player registration includes: Tournament Play (3 hours), Appetizers during play, Lunch at awards ceremony, (2) beer tickets per player, 1st through 3rd place prizes

Schedule

Registration 9AM - 10AM

Tournament Begins - 10AM

Skills Competition - 12:30PM

Lunch & Awards - 1PM - 2PM

Location: Drive Shack Orlando, 7285 Corner Drive, Orlando, FL 32827

ASTRONAUT WALKING PUB CRAWL

Location: Cocoa Village Participating Bars: Village Bier Garten, Murdock’s Southern Bistro, The Village Idiot Pub, Pub Americana, Dog & Bone British Pub, Rec 225.

Schedule

6PM – 8PM Registration: Village Bier Garten

6PM – 9PM Visit: Murdock’s Southern Bistro, The Village Idiot Pub, Pub Americana and Dog & Bone British Pub

9PM – 10:30PM Final Pub Crawl Stop: Rec 225. Be present to enter and win ‘Best Space Dressed’ and other raffle drawings!

SAT., JULY 13, 2019

ASTRONAUT PARADE

See our heroes as they ride through the City of Cocoa Beach in convertible Corvettes and witness the future of technology and innovation throughout the space industry! Free to the community!

Schedule

Parade - 9:30AM - 11:30AM

Street Party - 9:30AM - 4PM

Location: Downtown Cocoa Beach

Explore the new Mars Rover concept vehicle at the Downtown street party following the parade.

CELEBRATING APOLLO OUTDOOR CONCERT

With Alan Parsons and opening band Edison’s Children including Rick Armstrong (Neil Armstrong’s son) General Admission is free to the community! Bring your own chair. VIP & Reserved Seating available for purchase.

Schedule Doors - 5PM Show - 6PM

Location Cocoa Riverfront Park 401 Riveredge Blvd. Cocoa, FL 32922

SUN., JULY 14, 2019

THE FAMILIES OF APOLLO - BRUNCH & PANEL DISCUSSION

Enjoy brunch while listening to the children of Apollo astronauts tell what it was like as a family member during the Apollo era.

Schedule

Brunch - 10:30AM - 11:30AM

Panel Discussion - 11:30AM - 1PM

Location

Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach, 3435 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

WOMEN IN SPACE PANEL

Listen to astronauts and NASA employees discuss the space industry and how women have contributed to space exploration. Free to the community!

Schedule

1:30PM - 2:30PM

Location

Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach, 3435 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

FUTURE OF SPACE PANEL

Listen to astronauts and industry leaders discuss the future of the space industry. Free to the community!

Schedule

3PM - 4PM

Location

Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach, 3435 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

VIP RECEPTION AND GRAND REOPENING OF THE APOLLO/SATURN V CENTER

Join the astronauts and be one of the first to see the transformed Apollo/Saturn V Center at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex before it is seen by the public.

Schedule

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Location

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

TUES., JULY 16, 2019

CELEBRATING APOLLO GALA

The Apollo 50th Gala event will pay tribute to humanity’s (seemingly) impossible achievement of reaching the moon, from our first steps to tomorrow’s giant leaps in space.

Hosted by the Aldrin Family’s Foundation with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Find out more about the gala at www.apollo50thgala.com

Schedule

5PM - 10PM

Location

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899