MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) — Sputnikfest is returning to Manitowoc.
It’s the annual celebration of the crash-landing of the Soviet Union’s Sputnik IV spacecraft in town, which happened 59 years ago on September 5th, 1962.
“Really it crashed right in front of the Rahr West Art Museum,” said Greg Vadney, director of the Rahr West Art Museum.
The event is celebrated with Sputnikfest, which will be held this Saturday.
“In general, Sputnikfest is usually a place where you’re gooing to see a lot of costumes, a lot of sci-fi related costumes,” said Vadney “This year will be no different.”
Last year, however, was different. Sputnikfest was held virtually as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vadney says he’s happy to see it return, in-person.
“We were able to continue to do our space debris costume contest, the pet contest,” Vadney told WTAQ. “But it was nowhere near what we love to have and that is to gather people together.”
The Saturday event will feature a 5k Run/Walk, live music, costume contests, an alien pet contest, and Let Me Be Frank Production’s performance of the musical “Sputnik Manitowoc”. More information is available on the City of Mantiwoc’s website.
