BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh Valley Space Fest will bring rocketry, astronomy, and live science demonstrations to Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus on Saturday, with more than 20 exhibitors scheduled to take part.
Now in its fourth year, the free festival is being held at Lehigh for the first time, with the university serving as presenting sponsor and host.
“At Lehigh University, we believe that discovery begins with curiosity,” Nathan Urban, Lehigh’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said when organizers announced the move in August.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Building C at 113 Research Drive and will be held rain or shine. Admission and parking are free.
Galactic Outreach Inc., an Easton-based nonprofit, coordinates Space Fest and runs educational programs and community events focused on space, science, and technology.
“Lehigh Valley Space Fest was created to bring together the incredible organizations throughout our region that are advancing science, technology, engineering, education, and innovation,” said Todd Sullivan, founder of Lehigh Valley Space Fest. “Space Fest provides a place where those connections happen and where thousands of visitors can experience firsthand the people and technologies shaping our future.”
Exhibitors include university clubs, museums, government agencies, nonprofits, technology companies and astronomy groups, according to organizers. Planned exhibits cover rocketry, Mars rovers, CubeSats, meteorites, astrophotography and high-altitude balloon research.
Visitors can step inside the Constellation Station, an inflatable planetarium, and view the sun through solar telescopes equipped for safe observation. Drone and rocketry demonstrations are also scheduled.
Lehigh student organizations involved in rocketry, aerospace, robotics and engineering will show projects under development in the Lehigh Valley. Scientists, engineers, educators and amateur astronomers will also be on hand to talk with attendees about their work.
The festival debuted in May 2023 at Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton and is organized by Sullivan and Marty McGuire, both NASA Solar System Ambassadors.
Organizers encourage attendees of all ages to wear NASA- or space-themed clothing or costumes.
The full schedule and exhibitor list are posted on the Space Fest website.
