Kalamazoo Valley Museum Hosts August 17 Summer Extravaganza

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on August 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event celebrates a season full of science and math related to sports and amusement park rides. The day will include two free showings of the recently released movie Wonder Park at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., autograph and photo times with local sports team mascots, healthy treats, and family games inside and outside of the Museum.

Wonder Park tells the story of an amusement park where the imagination of a girl named June comes alive. June, an optimistic, creative girl, discovers an incredible amusement park called Wonderland hidden in the woods. The park is full of fantastical rides and funny talking animals, only the park is in disarray. June soon discovers that the park came from her imagination, and she’s the only one who can fix it, so she bands together with the animals to save this magical place and bring back the wonder in Wonderland. Reserve free tickets online at www.kalamazoomuseum.org11.

The Kalamazoo Growlers' mascot, Porter, will be on hand from 1 to 2 p.m. Porter is a male black bear, a species native to Northern Michigan. Porter is also a dark style of beer developed in London from well-hopped beers made from brown malt, and the name ties into the history of craft breweries in Kalamazoo, as well as the Growlers' team name. Porter wears #64 in reference to the number of ounces in a growler that Porter fills with his favorite root beer. The name Porter was chosen after over 2,500 fans voted in 2015. The popular mascot Slappy from Kalamazoo’s pro hockey team, the K-Wings, will join the fun from 3 to 4 p.m. Slappy is best known for his oddball antics on and off the ice. He is responsible for random cheer-offs that happen in the stands, and pulling pranks and cheering on his Kalamazoo Wings to victory. Be sure to get your picture taken with Porter and Slappy!

Enjoy family games in the Innovation Lab from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Challenge a family member to checkers, Trouble, Sorry, Connect Four, and many more games and puzzles. From 1 to 4 p.m., play outside with a 20-foot parachute, corn hole, ring toss, and ladders.

Keep hydrated throughout the day by making an oxymel hydration drink from honey, vinegar, and herbs. Museum-branded water bottle holder, will also be available.

There will be a 4 p.m. showing of SpacePark 360 in the Museum’s planetarium (tickets $3/person). Travel through an amusement park that spans our solar system. Computer-generated graphics create unique but somewhat familiar rides at each of the planets and some of their moons. Nine breathtaking rides will lead us to each planet as we learn a few facts about each one.

Guests should be sure to visit both Amusement Park Science and TEAM UP!, on display at the Museum until September 8. Through the entertainment of amusement park activities and the interaction of different sports, families will learn about the science and math behind all the fun! In Amusement Park Science, visitors can explore the physics behind the thrills in amusement parks. In TEAM UP! Explore the Science of Sports, families can examine the science behind the sports we engage in every day.

Representatives from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders will also be on hand with social stories to help families prepare to visit and participate in amusement parks and sports events.

Admission to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum is free. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.