Local events to celebrate Apollo 11 moon landing anniversary

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Several events are being held in the Milwaukee area this week to celebrate and mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

On July 20, 1969, NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Manfred Olson Planetarium is marking the anniversary with two events this week. The first is the Moon to Mars event on Friday which will celebrate the last 50 years of space exploration and look forward to the future.

On Saturday, the free Lunar Party will take place. The party will feature food, activities and presentations from space experts.

Manfred Olson Planetarium director Jean Creighton says she hopes everyone recognizes the significance of the anniversary.

“Such achievements change how we live now and in the future," she said. "So let’s celebrate the accomplishment from 1969 and let’s look forward to what other space exploration goals we can set."

Discovery World is also celebrating the anniversary with games and activities for kids.