Lunar landing celebrated

WAPAKONETA - During a turbulent time in our nation's history, the world paused momentarily to see a local man, Neil Armstrong, take the first steps on the moon.

Most people remember exactly where they were that day, 39 years ago.

And many people, because so many aspects of that Apollo 11 mission were local, still celebrate the day that marked a milestone for the history of the human race.

While celebrating that landing Sunday afternoon at the Summer Moon Festival 2008, Becky Macwhinney, historic site manager for the Ohio Historical Society, said this year's event was filled with activities and visitors, similar to years past.

"This is our way of celebrating the moon landing and it's our way of giving back to the community and the surrounding area," Macwhinney said, standing outside the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum.

Next year, however, she said they hope for a much bigger event because it will be the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

"People truly never grasp how big the moon landing was," Macwhinney said. "Unless you lived through it, most people don't realize what this meant to humanity. ... The world became in awe at that point."

Among the many attractions at the festivities Friday through Sunday was the Lima Concert Band from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Macwhinney said.

Additionally, they hosted a 5K run Saturday, a moon pie eating contest and they let the children make ice cream.

Macwhinney said the "air show kid's zone" was a big attraction for the young ones.

John and Sandi McDonald own the kid's zone, which is the only air and space attraction of its kind.

John McDonald said he's happy and honored his Dublin-based business was able to be a part of the 39th anniversary of the lunar landing.

"This is such an important day," he said.

Macwhinney said the museum is a great asset for the community, a great resource, and it draws journalists and reporters from all around the world.

"A lot of people have a connection to the moon program," she said.

Macwhinney also said the museum gets a lot of help from volunteers and they need more. Of the Ohio Historical Society's 58 sites, she said, the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum is the largest.

"The popularity of this site is largely because of the location and the topic," Macwhinney said. "We're the only city in the world that has this claim."