Manitowoc’s “unlikely” alliance with the space race of the 1960’s will be celebrated tomorrow (September 10th) at the Rahr West Art Museum.
Sputnikfest is going to be held from noon until 9 pm. with live music, art, 5K Run and Walk, food, refreshments, and Star Wars re-enactors on the grounds throughout the day.
Rahr West Executive Director Greg Vadney is coordinating the event, which commemorates the landing of a piece of the Russian Sputnik satellite in front of the museum, 60-years ago.
Vadney said it is “A little bit modified in where we’re putting things, but we’re giving you the whole shebang at Sputnikfest with all of the entertainment and the costumes, the Star Wars and Star Trek folks. Everything you would expect at Sputnikfest, you’ll get this year.”
Vadney explains since the last Sputnikfest, they’ve done a lot of renovation and landscaping in front, “So, you’re going to have a brand new area to kinda’ hang out in, in front of the museum on our east lawn. This is also the 2nd year of the 5K Walk and Run and we’ve gotten a huge response already this year, so I’m really excited.”
He says the 5 K Walk and Run will start and finish right where the Sputnik piece hit on North 8th Street.
The route will take runners and walkers into the downtown area and lakeshore, around the Mariners Trail, past the YMCA and the U.S.S. Cobia, over the 8th Street bridge, past the Farmers’ Market, to the Badger sculpture, and back again to the Sputnik site at the Rahr West.
A custom-designed medal will be presented to each participant.
In addition, Sputnikfest will offer a Space Debris costume contest, Alien Pet Contest, and a kids costume contest.
For a list of activities surrounding tomorrow’s festival go to RahrWestArtMuseum.org.
