Harrisburg, PA – If it is October, then it is time for Great Pumpkin Day. Spend a magical morning at The State Museum of Pennsylvania during this family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring special programming and presentations throughout the museum.
Come dressed as your favorite character, animal, or museum icon! Explore a variety of games, activities, and craft stations. Travel across the state on our Giant Pennsylvania Map, make a pumpkin craft, or mix up some gooey slime. Visit with The Pennsylvania State Library Maker Space, play bingo, or settle in for a Storytime to learn about dinosaurs and make a bone impression as we read Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton.
Curiosity Connection will have limited timed tickets available for 45 minutes of play per hour starting on the quarter hour from 10:15 AM to 1:15 PM. Limited tickets must be picked up at the main entrance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Great Pumpkin Day activities are included with regular admission to the Museum. Museum members and military discounts will apply.
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering three shows.
Too Many Pumpkins (Pre-K to Grade 1)
Saturday, October 15 10:15 AM, 11:00 AM, 12 Noon
What do you do with too many pumpkins? Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.
Too Many Pumpkins is an adaption of author Linda White and illustrator Megan Lloyd’s story by The Planetarium at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
Zula Patrol: Down to Earth (Pre-K to Grade 1)
Saturday, October 15, 1:00 PM
While on a routine fossil-hunting expedition, The Zula Patrol turns up evidence that the villainous Deliria Delight has been traveling back in time to Earth’s prehistoric past to illegally dump her company’s toxic trash. The Zula Patrollers must find and catch her before her actions cause catastrophic consequences. In the process, our heroes learn all about the formation and development of Earth, and the life forms who call it home.
Zula Patrol: Down to Earth is produced by Spitz Creative Media and Zula International.
Beyond the Sun (Grade 4 and up)
Saturday, October 15, 2:00 PM
Celeste is a little girl who wants to explore the Universe, find new Earths, and learn how to find exoplanets. While fighting off sleep in her room by reading a book on astronomy, she receives an unexpected visit from Moon. Together, they enjoy a journey through the Universe to discover what exoplanets are and how they can be detected. They observe rogue planets, oceanic worlds, and super-Earths. Moon tells her about exoplanet hunters, who observe the sky in search of planets like Earth.
Beyond the Sun is produced by Render Area.
Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission.
Planetarium admission is free to members of the State Museum Affiliate and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation. Planetarium shows are subject to change without prior notification. Please check www.statemuseumpa.org Event Calendar for the latest show dates and times.
ABOUT THE STATE MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 24 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania’s fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary eras, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America’s story.
For more information about the museum, visit The State Museum online or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639