NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Downtown Huntsville Inc. are partnering for a third year to host an event celebrating the city and space agency’s enduring relationship. NASA in the Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18 in Huntsville’s Big Spring Park East.

The downtown event will feature exhibits and demonstrations to share Marshall’s work with the public, as well as performances by Marshall musicians, educational activities and games for all ages.

Visitors can experience the excitement and mystery of space exploration, see and touch the mighty RS-25 rocket engine that will power humans farther in space than ever before, check out how Marshall does 3-D printing and talk with engineers and scientists who are leading the way to new discoveries.

NASA astronaut Don Thomas — a space shuttle veteran who flew on STS-65, STS-70, STS-83 and STS-94 — will visit with the public throughout the day.

At 10:45 a.m., astronaut Thomas and Marshall Center Director Todd May will lead a parade around the park with kids who attend the the Marshall Child Development Center, accompanied by their families.

At 11 a.m. there will be a short program at the music stage with songs from the Marshall preschoolers and remarks from Thomas; May; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; and Chad Emerson, CEO of Downtown Huntsville Inc.

Spokespeople from NASA will be available to media throughout the day.

Media wishing to cover NASA in the Park should contact Angela Storey at angela.d.storey@nasa.gov or 256-544-0034 or 256-714-4370.

For more information about NASA in the Park, follow Marshall on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Join in the conversation online using #NASARSA2016.

For more information about NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/

For more information about Downtown Huntsville, visit:

http://www.downtownhuntsville.org/