3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

Live music? Check. Sloppy Joes and moon pies? Check. STEM themed games? Check. Star gazing? Check. Cosmic jello shots? Check!

Prepare for liftoff of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s twelfth annual One Book One Community Program, this year featuring Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly. To blast off the program, join the community at the Main Library at Goodwood at 6pm on February 24th for the Launch Party; promising free space-themed entertainment for the whole family.

To celebrate the decade the US made it to the moon with the help of the “Hidden Figures” of the book, plenty of 1960s nostalgic and space-themed food favorites will be offered; including sloppy Joes, moon pies, and star-shaped non-alcoholic Jell-O shots. Partner Forum 35 will have beer for sale, and live music (from the swingin’ ‘60s, of course) will fill the library as participants enjoy a “Moon Walk” version of a cake walk, star gazing, spin-the-wheel, having their caricature sketched, and much more. NASA’s Michoud STEM Team will even be on the ground with science and technology games, and a fun photo booth to have your picture taken in the cock-pit of a rocket to remember the occasion.

In addition to welcoming NASA’s STEM Team, special guests at the event include Dr. Tamiara Wade, the Mayor's Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, who happens to be a former Learning Expert at the NASA Stennis Space Center; and Alyssa Carson, who at only sixteen is an aspiring astronaut who has attended Space Camp a whopping seven times, Space Academy three times, Robotics Academy once, and is the youngest graduate of the Advanced Space Academy, with plans to one day join the mission to Mars.

Of course, there will be plenty of fun for the little astronauts too, like games for young kids and a balloon artist who will be creating rocket-shaped and other fun balloons. The STEM Team will also offer interactive demonstrations for all-ages, so there will be plenty of opportunity for learning about space and technology while enjoying the infinitely good times.

The event is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to come join the festivities at whatever point in the evening they can. Prepare for launch!