McMinnville, Oregon – The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum holds their signature fundraising event of the year, "Fly me to the Moon" Saturday, November 2nd, 2019. This annual fundraiser benefits the Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Featured guest Burt Rutan, designer of iconic vehicles SpaceShipOne, Voyager, and the Museum’s own Beechcraft Starship, will attend and present. "We are thrilled to have Burt Rutan attend and speak at our fifth annual Gala. This accomplished aerospace professional continues to inspire and contribute to the fields of aviation and space technology, which dovetails nicely with our mission," says Interim Executive Director John Rasmussen.
The Museum’s mission is “To inspire and educate, promote and preserve aviation and space history, and honor the patriotic service of our veterans.” While the Museum campus offers stunning examples of aviation/space achievement, we also strive to create an environment that teaches our younger generation the importance of human skills, like mathematics, science, teamwork, determination, and perseverance. Museum staff and volunteers work at bridging the gap between aerospace history and future innovation.
The 2019 Fly Me to the Moon Gala will bring together aviation and space enthusiasts to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and to look towards the future of the Museum. This annual fundraising gala supports Museum programs that relate directly to the Museum’s mission, including educational programs, restoration and acquisitions, and collections management. The Museum provides enriching education programs such as summer camps, home school programs, and cultural appreciation days. Fun family events like the Easter Bunny and Santa helicopter fly-ins, and the indoor Halloween event are annual favorites.
A guided tour for fundraiser attendees led by Museum Interim Executive Director John Rasmussen takes place from 4-5pm, starting in the Space Museum building. Main event begins at 5pm. Tickets are $100 per person, and business sponsorships are available. Tickets are available for purchase on the Museum’s website, www.evergreenmuseum.org. Formal attire is suggested.
# # #
ABOUT EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM:
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Call 503-434-4180 or visit www.evergreenmuseum.org for more information.
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is best known as the home of the world's largest wooden aircraft, the Hughes Flying Boat "Spruce Goose." The Museum collection also includes a rare SR-71 "Blackbird," and the Titan II SLV Missile--with its original launch room, and a MaxFlight full-motion interactive flight simulator ride. Discover more than 150 historic aircraft, spacecraft, and exhibits on display, along with artwork and traveling exhibits. The Museum values its educational partnerships, which include the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, the Oregon Space Consortium and the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program. The Museum is located at 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, across the highway from the McMinnville Airport and about three miles southeast of McMinnville, Ore., on Highway 18. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @evergreenmuseum for the latest updates.
ABOUT BURT RUTAN:
Named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Inc. Magazine and described by Newsweek as “the man responsible for more innovations in modern aviation than any living engineer,” Burt Rutan is a bold entrepreneur and designer with the vision and passion for the advancement of technology. In 2004 Rutan made international headlines as the designer of SpaceShipOne, the world’s first privately-built manned spacecraft to reach space. Financed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, SpaceShipOne won the $10 million Ansari X-Prize, the competition created to spur the development of affordable space tourism. Winner of the Presidential Citizen’s Medal, the Charles A. Lindbergh Award, two Collier Trophies and included on Time Magazine’s “100 most influential people in the world,” Rutan is the founder of SCALED Composites, the most aggressive aerospace research company in the world. Based in Mojave, CA, his company has developed and tested a variety of groundbreaking projects, from military aircraft to executive jets, showcasing some of the most innovative and energy-efficient designs ever flown. Visit Burt's website www.burtrutan.com.