Air Zoo to open expansion on Oct. 1

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The Air Zoo will open its 50,000-square-foot expansion to the public on Oct. 1.

The addition will house Space: Dare to Dream, an interactive exhibit that pays tribute to the dreamers who dared to find answers to our existence. The exhibit, made possible by a grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, celebrates those innovators’ amazing discoveries, along with the history of space exploration.

"The Air Zoo now has even more rich and historic experiences for guests to enjoy," said Bob Ellis, Air Zoo president and CEO. "While walking through Space: Dare to Dream, visitors will be able to explore Galileo’s study, learn about ancient cosmology and experience the rumbling liftoff of Saturn V as it leaves Earth."

The expansion will feature an additional exhibit about women in aviation (including the Women Airforce Service Pilots), space artifacts, interactive exhibits, an archive and an expanded library with free Wi-Fi Internet. It will also include World War II aircraft ranging from early trainers to gliders and attack aircraft.

To celebrate the opening, the Air Zoo will have a variety of complimentary activities taking place throughout the day, such as creating soda straw rockets. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids will be able to build and launch rockets for $10 each.

For more information about the Air Zoo's opening celebration, call 269.382.6555.