Wellington Native to Serve in Mission Control During Artemis II as Community Celebrates with Free Launch Lunch

WELLINGTON, Kan. — The community is invited to attend a free Launch Lunch event Friday, April 3 at the Wellington Regent Theatre to celebrate the Artemis II mission, which will feature Wellington native and WHS alumnus Erik Stalcup working in Mission Control as astronauts travel around the far side of the moon and back.

The event runs from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. at the Regent Theatre.

Thanks to KanOkla, the first 100 patrons will receive a free lunch including a hot dog, chips and a drink. Guests may also pick up NASA-themed items courtesy of Stalcup, including enamel pins, large stickers, launch rundown sheets and fold-up 3D Artemis models.

Wellington Middle School science instructor Aubrey Roths will lead a hands-on STEM activity for attendees.

The theatre will feature a big-screen experience beginning with a replay of the launch, followed by a live mission status briefing at 2:30 p.m. Real-time coverage from NASA will also be available, including live views from the Orion spacecraft.

Community members are encouraged to attend and be part of what organizers called a unique opportunity to experience space exploration together.