The highly anticipated annual event, Los Alamos ScienceFest returns this year from July 13–16 and features events packed full of science, adventure, learning, and fun.

 

This year’s theme celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Los Alamos Ranch School and features special events that allow participants to step back into the past and experience the fun of old-fashioned Ranch School days and summer camps, as well as informative tours and events for the entire family.

 

The Los Alamos Ranch School started in 1917 as a boys’ school that combined academic studies and physical curriculum, and later went on to house scientists during the Manhattan Project.

 

“Without the Ranch School in Los Alamos, it is likely Los Alamos would have never been the home of the Manhattan Project,” said Kelly Stewart, Marketing Manager for Los Alamos County. “With the roads and housing already in existence in Los Alamos, the town was ideal for the needs of the project, making the Ranch School an integral part of our town’s history and legacy. This year’s ScienceFest celebrates the science in everyday life with hands-on, interactive experiences. It will be a great time for millennials, families and kids, as ScienceFest highlights the groundbreaking science that still happens in Los Alamos to this day.”

 

Events kick off Wednesday, July 12 with Los Alamos History Museum Historic District Tours. Tours are $15 per person each day of ScienceFest. There also will be daily Atomic City Van Tours of Los Alamos, which celebrate the history, archaeology, geology and scenery of the Los Alamos area with a ninety-minute tour, starting at 1:30 p.m., each day. Tickets are $25 per person, $10 for children 13 and under, cash only. Reservations are required, and seating is limited. For reservations, call 505.662.2547.

 

On Wednesday evening you can learn to pack a mule just like the Ranch School boys did. The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) will be presenting “Burro Packers” with a live burro, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Admission is $5 per family, or free for PEEC members. The night’s activities will wrap up with a free Movie in the Park at 8:30 p.m. at Ashley Pond Park, where they will be showing “Back to the Future 3”.

 

The fun continues Thursday, July 13 with the unveiling of the Big House image at Central Park Square, in which a new historic photo mural will be revealed. Additional events include the PBS Science Café Planetarium event 10 a.m. to noon at the Los Alamos Nature Center and a free evening family film at 7 p.m., with pre-film activities beginning at 6 p.m., at the White Rock Branch Library.

 

Thursday night also will feature one of the most unique parties of the year—ScienceFest’s Ranch School Nights, which will allow adults the unique opportunity to go back to summer camp. The party will take place at Fuller Lodge with dinner, drinks, live music, campfire stories and songs, root beer floats, a s’mores station, and a live auction of props from WGN’s MANH(A)TTAN TV show. Tickets are $50 each and on sale at https://ranchschoolnights.eventbrite.com/.

 

Friday, July 14, there will be a free Atomic Film Festival, featuring Ranch School films, beginning at 10 a.m. at Fuller Lodge. Rocket Fueled Family Fun Night at Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center will follow 5-7 p.m., with a wide range of activities, including a cannon ball contest, inflatable island, bounce house and more. From there, head to Ashley Pond for the free Summer Concert Series. The ScienceFest Concert night starting at 7 p.m. will feature live music from The Peterson Brothers Band.

 

After the concert July 14, don’t miss the opportunity to camp out on the Fuller Lodge lawn. Bring your friends and family, tents and sleeping bags, and enjoy arts and crafts and campfire songs, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.

 

Saturday, July 15 is Festival Day, which celebrates everyday science with interactive activities. Enjoy the Festival with free admission 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ashley Pond Park. Download the interactive Scavenger Hunt for prizes, enjoy the Chalk Walk and 3D art sponsored by Los Alamos National Bank, and check out the Los Alamos Ranch School Knot-Tying Station and learn to tie knots like they did back in the day. Enjoy Science and Suds in the Beer Garden 12:30-2:30 p.m., and have discussions with local scientists. Stick around after for Lyrics and Libations in the Beer Garden with music from local favorites DK & The Affordables at 3-4 p.m., and 4-6 p.m. listen to Stephanie Hatfield Band.

 

Throughout the day at the Ashley Pond information booth, register for a chance to win the once in a lifetime overnight stay for two at the Bandelier National Monument Fire Tower. Please note no children are allowed at the Fire Tower, and date must be arranged with Bandelier. Also at the Ashley Pond information booth, be sure to check out the silent auction, featuring some of the WGN MANH(A)TTAN TV show props. Drawings take place at 2:30 p.m. and you must be present to win.

 

The Main Gate Park at the entrance to town will have a Festival Information Booth as well as period cars in front of the Main Gate façade. Be sure to stop for great photo opportunities.

 

Also July 15, Bechtel will be presenting the movie “Dream Big” with free admittance at 10 a.m. at the Real Deal Theater. To view the trailer, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRFK_eRKX1I.

 

For those wishing to get outdoors and be active Saturday, local Los Alamos Living Treasure Craig Martin will be leading the Los Alamos Anniversary Trail Hike. The hike begins at 9 a.m. and will be both informative and fun. The event is free but registration is required. Additionally, there will be tours throughout the day of Fuller Lodge taking place hourly 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and an incredible opportunity to tour the Bathtub Row Homes. Presented by the Los Alamos History Museum, the Bathtub Row Home Tours offer attendees the opportunity to peek inside the historic homes, including the Oppenheimer home. Tickets are $20 per person and sold 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 15-minute increments.

 

Following the excitement of Festival Day, Bathtub Row Brewery will feature a Movie Night, where they will show “The Magnificent Seven” at 8:30 p.m. and have special ScienceFest beverages on tap.

 

Both Saturday and Sunday, lift service will be open at Pajarito Mountain 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Bike & Hike at Pajarito, and the Larry R Walkup Aquatic Center will be featuring Warm Water Weekend with an obstacle course 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

 

“Whatever your interests, ScienceFest has something for everyone,” Stewart said. “This year’s events feature many unique opportunities, and we encourage all to come out and celebrate Los Alamos’ rich history and culture of being the ‘place where discoveries are made.’”

 

For more information on ScienceFest, visit LosAlamosScienceFestival.com. To plan your visit to Los Alamos, go to VisitLosAlamos.org.