Space Foundation a Hit at Festival of Lights Parade

The Space Foundation’s inaugural float in the Dec. 1 Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade was a big hit with the holiday crowd – estimated to be more than 50,000 people – and was named winner of the “Rudolph Award, Best Lighting on a Float” by parade organizers.

The float design gave a unique twist to the parade’s theme of “Home for the Holidays.” It featured children surrounding a glowing globe of the Earth, our home in the universe. The Earth theme promoted the Space Foundation’s new Visitors Center and the Northrop Grumman Science Center Science On a Sphere® (SOS).

The parade is an annual tradition in Colorado Springs. The float, featuring thousands of blue lights and an inflated globe, was built by a team from the Space Foundation, who also walked alongside sporting lighted gloves, wigs and glasses.

The children on the float were from Cub Scout Pack 4 and Girl Scout Troop 4598, and the float was escorted by Star Wars “Stormtroopers” (Mountain Garrison of the 501st Legion). This is the first year the Space Foundation has been represented in the parade. The Space Foundation team, headed by Community Relations Manager Kaye Kerr, included Cathryn Griffiths, Julie Howell, Sadie Jackson, Bernadette Maisel, Amy Mirocha, Elias Molen (and his wife, Joyce), Phil Nowicki, Nancy Reed (pictured, right), Randi Rivera, Kelly Shelton, Janet Stevens, Kathy Vinson and Rebecca Williams. Space Foundation friend Rick Sanford also provided support.

SOS is a new educational tool in the Space Foundation Northrop Grumman Science Center and includes a built-in computer lab, 70-inch HD digital display systems to complement the six-foot spherical projection system, surround sound and stadium seating for 49 students.

Educators who are interested in arranging an SOS education program at the Space Foundation Northrop Grumman Science Center should call 1.719.576.8000. The Space Foundation Northrop Grumman Science Center is located within the Space Foundation Visitors Center at its world headquarters in Colorado Springs at 4425 Arrowswest Drive.

See photos here.