Summer Moon Festival to return to Wapak

WAPAKONETA —This year’s Summer Moon Festival will offer several new features and events including a former NASA astronaut.

Director of the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce Jackie Martell said the weeklong event to celebrate the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon, which started with Downtown Wapakoneta by Moonlight Tuesday, will continue when the festival itself starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 18, and run through Sunday, July 21.

“All of the highly anticipated activities that have been associated with so much fun at the Moon Fest each year are coming back, plus some exciting new events, as well,” Martell said. “The entire community comes together to do a six-day festival full of events that offer something for everyone and get a lot of people to come out day after day. There are so many things that people don’t want to miss.”

The festival will offer music from Saw Crush, the Naked Karate Girls, Another Round, the Lima Area Concert Band and the T102 Country Star Playoffs.

“The entertainment stage is always full of live music,” Martell said. “On Saturday, the Country Star Playoffs will have their last competition before the finals and it always draws a lot of people and some really great local talent.”

Martell said the competition usually sees the performers bringing their supporters to the event to see them play before a judge with a backup band, but the final act of the event will feature the Lima Area Concert band at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Wapakoneta High School performing arts center.

“They have partnered with the Summer Moon Festival for many years offering a wonderful performance,” she said. “We are fortunate to have a beautiful air-conditioned venue at the high school. This concert is available to everyone for free and we really enjoy the opportunity to bring them here for a live performance for our last event of the festival.”

The event is important for the city to remember its connection with native son Armstrong leaving his print on history.

“It’s really wonderful to see how it reinforces our connection with the moon landing, as well as (Armstrong’s) entire life and legacy that he left for our community and the world,” Martell said. “It’s always relevant to the space and aviation community, but also the hardworking nature of our area, in terms of how he lived his life and the modest way he went about accomplishing difficult things through perseverance and dedication. It’s something that is relatable and inspirational to everyone and we truly enjoy continuing the connection and offering fun activities for everyone.”

A lot of work goes into the festival as it grows every year with help from partners at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum.

“We just hope that people enjoy themselves,” Martell said. “We strive to offer a wide variety of things to do and we hope people know they’re always welcome back to experience all that work has to offer.”

For more information, visit summermoonfestival.com.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.