LOS ALAMOS MAINSTREET NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos – where discoveries are made—announces the return of the town’s iconic annual festival —Los Alamos ScienceFest. Normally a weeklong event, 2023 brings an expanded festival running July 7–18, with the signature event, Discovery Day, taking place on Saturday, July 8. The 2023 festival will focus on the theme “Energy” and will feature family-friendly, hands-on activities, exhibits and events celebrating all forms of energy from nuclear to kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical and all various forms. 

“We are proud of our signature ScienceFest event, now in its sixteenth year,” said Jacquelyn Connolly, Executive Director of Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District, the organizer of the event. “It has continued to grow and now encompasses events designed for all ages and interests, involving many community and regional partners. Ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the festival is well-timed for visitors to discover our historic destination and the behind-the-scenes stories. This year’s theme, ‘Energy,’ provides the perfect opportunity to dive headfirst into the breakthrough discoveries that continue to happen in Los Alamos.”

With the goal of creating an accessible, fun atmosphere to learn about science and STEAM topics, ScienceFest will run for twelve days, kicking off on Friday, July 7 with a free Friday Night Concert at Ashley Pond Park at 6 pm. Local group SaxAtomix will open and be followed by the legendary New Orleans trumpeter, Shamarr Allen and his powerhouse band, at 8 pm. 

The not-to-miss Discovery Day will take place on Saturday, July 8 at Ashley Pond Park and Fuller Lodge from 9 am–2 pm. The day will feature dozens of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) exhibits and activities, food, and a beer garden with live music by the Manzanares Quartet. Attendees can participate in the Solar Car Race or check out the latest in transportation technology at the Electric Vehicle Show hosted by Pajarito Environmental Education Center. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Bradbury Science Museum Challenge Tomorrow Trailers, get interactive in the Drone Zone with races and competitions, or become the driver of one of the immersive VR experiences at SALA Event Center. Demonstrations from local and regional organizations such as Explora Science Center, Santa Fe Children’s Museum, Kraz-E-Science, Project Y robotics team, the local chapter of the American Chemical Society, groups working out of Los Alamos National Laboratory, and more. 

Residents and visitors can check out “Oppie-themed” business specials at restaurants, breweries, and other businesses all around town throughout ScienceFest. Also during ScienceFest, the Los Alamos Historical Society has increased its number of  Guided Walking Tours of the Historical District on Discovery Day to three: on the hour, every hour, from 10am–1pm. Reservations are recommended in advance.

Throughout the week, festivalgoers can enjoy a variety of events, including the Los Alamos Big Band Dance, which brings back the fashion and style of the 1940s at Fuller Lodge on July 9 from 6–9 pm. On Tuesday, July 11, Tuesdays at the Square will feature a ScienceFest-themed concert from the Los Alamos Jazz Project from 6–8 pm, also featuring STEM busking. 

The public is invited to continue their visit by attending the opening reception at Fuller Lodge Art Center Main Gallery, “Fractals, Fusion & Fission Art” and partake in a Dark Night Sky event July 15 at scenic White Rock Overlook Park with the Pajarito Astronomers. Saturday, July 15 offers the chance for adult science lovers to experience science and play like a kid again. The Play Crawl: STEAM for Adults event takes place from 6–8 pm at businesses and organizations around Central Park Square and features math, engineering, and science activities, along with beer and trivia. 

The Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Feynman Center for Innovation and the New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneur Program (NM LEEP) will host a Technology Showcase and Demo Day from 8:30am–6pm on Monday, July 17 as part of ScienceFest. Registration is required in advance. The event will feature scientist talks and roundtable discussions on topics ranging from biotech and aerospace to clean energy transition. 

Events will culminate on Tuesday, July 18 with a Tuesdays on the Square Closing Party from 6–8 pm. The finale event will feature music from Half-Pint and the Growlers. 

Activities and events continue to be added. For a full schedule, event times and additional details, visit https://www.losalamossciencefest.com/schedule. 

For more information on Los Alamos or to plan your visit, go to https://visitlosalamos.org.