November 17, 2011

 

For further information, contact:

Maria Totoraitis, Public Relations Coordinator, Saint Louis Science Center

314.289.1410, 314.422.0048, mtotoraitis@slsc.org

 

ST. LOUIS – The installation of the traditional Holiday Bow on the James S. McDonnell Planetarium will take place after hours tonight, Thursday, Nov. 17, to allow for a “magical” appearance Friday for motorists on Highway 40. The Holiday Bow is the first step as the Saint Louis Science Center prepares for the holidays. 

The Science Center will extend its hours during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Nov. 25 through Nov. 27. The Science Center will be open Friday, Nov. 25 from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Saturday, Nov. 26 from 9:30am to 5:30pm, and Sunday, Nov. 27 from 10:30am to 5:30pm. The Science Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

 

Returning for its ninth holiday season, Santa vs. the Snowman will entertain a new generation of visitors. The film, opening on Friday, Nov. 18, puts an untraditional twist on Santa’s story when a lovable snowman discovers Santa’s village. The snowman and his minions wage an all out battle against Santa and his army of elves for the rights to Santa’s worldwide gift-giving franchise.

 

In addition to Santa vs. the Snowman, the regularly scheduled films RESCUE, Tornado Alley and Roving Mars will be playing during the holidays. Star Trek: The Exhibition will also continue to be open to visitors. Fans who choose to dress in costume to see the exhibition will receive $2 off a regularly priced ticket.

 

While parents get ready for the holidays, kids can attend Holidazed Day Camps at the Science Center. These camps provide fun and educational activities and projects for students while school is out. Holidazed Day Camps are held twice a day on Nov. 23, Dec. 22, 23, 26 through 30 and Jan. 2.

 

Some holiday shopping can also be completed at the Science Center. When purchased as a gift, a Family & Friends Membership is $10 off, meaning visitors can give a gift valued at more than $600 for only $75. The gift of Membership also comes with an eco-friendly, stainless steel water bottle to wrap as a stocking stuffer.

 

More gifts can be purchased at the ExploreStore located on the Science Center’s main level. A variety of unique science gifts can be found inside the store including apparel, books, educational toys and more.

 

For more information about Holidazed Day Camps, OMNIMAX(R) Theater tickets and times, Star Trek: The Exhibition, Gift Memberships or any other events this holiday season at the Science Center call 314.289.4424 or visit slsc.org

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Thank you for covering the Saint Louis Science Center. We ask that you include the full names of our institution: Saint Louis Science Center, OMNIMAX^(R) Theater, and James S. McDonnell Planetarium when writing your story. 

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents magazine and one of America’s most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine, – the only museum in Missouri to be named to either list - the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX^(R) Theater, the state-of-the-art Boeing Hall, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Its mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center and its programs, visit slsc.org

About the Holiday Bow
The now famous red ribbon that decorates the Planetarium each holiday season was actually instigated as a prank by Washington University students in 1966. On a December evening, a group of architecture students scaled the building and left the ribbon on the recognizable hyperboloid curve of the Planetarium building. They also left a sign reading “Merry Christmas St. Louis, Washington University School of Architecture” tied on the handrail. None of the pranksters were caught, nor charges filed, and St. Louisans’ response was so positive, Planetarium officials decided to recreate the prank every year to continue the tradition. When the Saint Louis Science Center moved into the building in 1985, its leaders were no exception. The Planetarium has sported the festive trimming every year except in 2000 when it was being renovated.