WAPAKONETA, Ohio – Wapakoneta residents are getting ready to celebrate in style for the 50th Anniversary of their own hometown hero Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon.

It is July 20, 1969, and the whole world watches in wonder as the Apollo 11 lunar module, nicknamed the "Eagle" landed on the moon.  Anticipation builds during the two-hour wait as the two men in the module, Commander Neil Alden Armstrong and Col. Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin, prepare to make history and step onto the surface of the moon.  They will be the first human beings to walk on a celestial body other than the planet Earth. At 11:56 pm, Armstrong descends down a ladder and utters those famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."   Joy erupts around the globe as a feat, once considered impossible occurred right before their very eyes.

​The joy and excitement of that event were nearly overwhelming in the small Midwestern town of Wapakoneta, Ohio. For this close-knit community, it was personal. The first man was one of their own.  Neil was the son of Wapakoneta residents Steven and Viola Armstrong. He graduated from the local high school, he earned his pilots license at the local airfield and he worked after school and weekends in several local shops, stocking shelves and running errands to earn money to pay for his flying lessons.  Members of the family’s church held a prayer vigil during the entire mission and while they celebrated those steps on the moon, the prayers did not stop until the Apollo 11 Astronauts were safely back on Earth.

​Nearly 50 years have passed since that incredible accomplishment.  Wapakonetans have celebrated the anniversary of that moon landing each year, not only to praise their Hometown Hero but also the thousands of people who contributed to the success of the Apollo 11 Mission. (Credit: Firstonthemoon.org)

The celebration starts on Friday and continues for 10 days, wrapping up on Sunday, July 21st with a special concert.

We've highlighted some of the daily events below, but for a full schedule of events and lots of details, be sure and visit their website.

  • July 12 & 13 - Hot Air Balloon Rally at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds
  • July 14 - Giant 50th Anniversary Parade
  • July 15 - Wapakoneta by Moonlight
  • July 17-20 - Summer Moon Festival
  • July 19-21 - Armstrong Air and Space Museum
  • July 19 - Live NASA Broadcast from the Museum
  • July 21 - Grand Finale Wink at the Moon Concert

The community of Wapakoneta invites you to come to celebrate!

 

 

 

And by the way, WAPAKONETA

A great place to visit, not an easy name to pronounce! it's WAH puh kuh NEH tuh