Fall is a time for cooler weather, but the activities on Florida’s Space Coast are just heating up! Events such as the Cocoa Beach Air Show and the Space Coast Light Fest are annual favorites, while exclusive openings like the Kennedy Space Center Launch Control Center Tour are never- before-seen opportunities. For a full listing of events on Florida’s Space Coast, visit www.visitspacecoast.com/Calendar.
Space Shuttle Endeavour Fly Out – Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – September 17, 2012
For the last time in history, a space shuttle will take flight when the Endeavour Space Shuttle flies out from Kennedy Space Center atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on its way to the California Science Center where it will be permanently displayed. Spectators can watch the historic event from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
KSC Up-Close: Launch Control Center Tour – Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
For the first time in more than 30 years, visitors can go inside Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Control Center (LCC). The second unveiling in Kennedy Space Center’s 50thanniversary series of rare-access tours, The Launch Control Center Tour takes visitors inside Firing Room 4, one of the LCC’s four firing rooms and the one from which all 21space shuttle launches since 2006 were controlled. The LCC Tour runs through the end of 2012 with a limited number of daily tours.
Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-11 plus tax, in addition to admission. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com
KSC Up-Close: The Launch Pad Tour – Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
This tour allows public visitors inside Launch Complex 39 for the first time in Kennedy Space Center’s history. Visitors can tour one of the launch pads from which the spaceshuttles and Apollo Saturn V moon rockets were launched.
Guests travel nearly a quarter-mile within the perimeter security fence of Launch Pad 39-A and can enjoy a close view of the 350-foot-high fixed service structure, rotating service structure and other facets of the launch pad complex. Other sites on the tour include drive-by views of Launch Pad 39-B, the Vehicle Assembly Building, mobile launch platforms and the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-11 plus tax, in addition to admission. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com/.
“Pay by Cell Phone” parking meters unveiled – Cocoa Beach, Fla.
The city of Cocoa Beach has unveiled more than 200 pay by cell phone parking meters in the downtown and beaches areas. Visitors can recognize the locations by the green curbs and instructional signage and can download the free mobile application to their Android or iPhone or pre-register at www.ParkNow.us. A phone number posted on the street signs also can be called to register the meter. This service helps tourists avoid searching for spare change when headed to the beach and other attractions.
In the coming months, the city will convert all metered parking to this new system and add additional pay by cell phone parking meters. For more information, visitwww.cityofcocoabeach.com or call 321-868-3219.
Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Mims, Fla. – August 24, 2012
Brevard County Parks and Recreation is opening a new park and walking trail in Mims, Fla. The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park honors the legacy of the Moores, who were parents, educators and leading local and national civil rights activists. Highway 46 will also be dedicated to the Moores and renamed the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Highway.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on August 24 at the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park at 2180 Freedom Avenue, Mims, Fla. and will consist of the ribbon cutting, various speeches and the Highway 46 Memorial sign unveiling. For more information, call 321-264-6595
Cocoa Beach Air Show – Cocoa Beach, Fla. – September 22-23
It’s the “Year of Extreme Flight” at the 2012 annual Cocoa Beach Air Show! This show is a unique chance for beachgoers and enthusiasts to watch both civilian and military aviation in action. The U.S. Marine Corps will showcase a full capabilities demonstration of the V-22 Osprey, an aircraft designed to fly like a plane but also to take off and hover like a helicopter. The Cocoa Beach Air Show was selected as only one of 10 shows in the nation to feature this exclusive air craft demonstration.
Many viewing areas are free and open to the public. Premium viewing tickets start at $19. For more information on VIP tickets, where to stay and show line-up, visitwww.cocoabeachairshow.com.
Rods n’ Rockets – Cocoa Beach, Fla. – October 13-15
Following the popular Hot Rod Power Tour last year in iconic Cocoa Beach, Rods n’ Rockets will feature a weekend filled with muscle cars, astronaut meet and greets, giveaways and more.
This three-day event will take place at locations around Florida’s Space Coast such as Ron Jon’s Surf Shop and Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. For more information, visit www.rodsnrockets.com.
Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show – Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – November 1-3
Visitors can meet with space travel legends during this family-friendly weekend featuring autograph sessions, astronaut photo opportunities, lectures and a unique space auction. Guests can visit the show’s space-related exhibitor hall; enjoy the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; and meet, mingle and dine with hero astronauts and space icons.
Tickets come in packages or guests can choose a la carte options starting at $15.00. For more information, call 321-455-7014 or visit www.astronautscholarship.org.
The 12th Annual Space Coast Light Fest – Melbourne, Fla. – November 23-December 31
Drawing more than 15,000 vehicles annually, the Space Coast Light Fest is a family-oriented celebration taking place in the 1.1-mile stretch of Wickham Park. The area is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with hundreds-of-thousands of lights. Visitors drive through the attraction to witness the once a year spectacle.
Admission is $10 per car. Discounts and promotions are available on www.spacecoastlightfest.com. The Space Coast Light Fest is open nightly 6-9:30 pm.
Space Coast Marathon and Health Expo – Cocoa, Fla. – November 24-25
This year marks the 41st Space Coast Marathon and Half-Marathon – Florida’s oldest marathon. More than 4,000 participants are expected at this year’s event. In November of 2008, Runner World magazine voted the Space Coast marathon the “Race of the Month.” The race starts at 6:15 am. Entry fee is $80 for the full marathon and $70 for the half marathon if signed up before August 31 (Entry fee increases $10 a month as race approaches). The day before the race, Health First’s Health Plans Health & Fitness Expo will take place at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.
Race headquarters will be at Running Zone, Inc. located at 3696 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne, Fla. For further information about either event, head towww.spacecoastmarathon.com.
Rocket Launches – Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – September – November
Unmanned rockets continue to launch from the Kennedy Space Center:
Delta 4 • GPS 2F-3 – September 20 – Time: TBD
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch a navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System for the Air Force.
All launch dates are subject to change. For updated information on dates, launch times and tips on where to view a launch, visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com.
