Oct
20

Attack of the Killer Space Zombies from Mars

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum hosts its annual “Air & Scare,” from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Visitors can join creepy space aliens, mysterious astronauts and ghostly pilots for safe, indoor trick-or-treating. With more than 30 activities, there is something for everyone this year.

The youngest visitors will enjoy story times, dress-up stations, puppet shows, face-painting stations and hands-on activities. There will be special free screenings of cartoons in the IMAX Theater, plus free simulator rides and Halloween crafts. Parents and kids can pose for photos with Star Wars characters; for older children there will be a Teen and Tween Zone where they can pack a parachute, try their hand at a flight simulator or get a temporary tattoo. This year, for the first time, roving magicians will entertain the crowd.

A family of young robots enjoy the festivities. (Photo by Dane Penland)

Attendees are encouraged to come in their favorite flight-themed costume. Admission is free, but parking is $15.

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport.

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Posted: 20 October 2011
About the Author:

Isabel Lara does media outreach for the Communications Office at the National Air and Space Museum. She enjoys dealing with the diverse requests the museum receives every day—from inquiries about ice on Mars and impact basins on Mercury, to satellites, spacesuits, airmail, famous aviators and even Hollywood movies.