With just under 2000 people in attendance, the North Highlands News Press Party at the Aerospace Museum of California was a huge success! Local business owners & managers took time to meet and greet the swarming crowd that came to enjoy the festivities. Hosted by KCRA Channel 3’s Adrienne Bankert, businesses and community members enjoyed a night of great exhibits, great food, and lots of free give-a-ways. We at the North Highlands News, enjoyed personally meeting you at this great event!
A special thanks to our major sponsors the Aerospace Museum of California, Wal-Mart, Raley’s & Les Schwaab Tires for helping make this event a success!
It was a crisp, yet clear Friday night in North Highlands and while the vendors set up their booths and the volunteers donned their badges and reported to their posts, hundreds of visitors of all ages began lining up outside the doors to the beautiful new museum long before the 6:00pm official opening time. The Aerospace Museum of California was reserved on February 22nd for the North Highlands News Press Party and the readers and guests were anticipating an exciting evening ahead. By 6:30, more than a thousand visitors had entered and by the end of the evening the final count was almost 2000 people. The place was packed with families enjoying a night out with food, fun, and some neighbors.
Pastor Bill Krause and County Supervisor Roger Dickenson both spoke of the impressive turnout and support from the readers of the North Highlands News.
The event staff was enthusiastic and genuinely pleased with the turnout and loving support from the community. Karen Sapp, who worked on the planning committee noted, “I really think it was a fantastic event, one the community, it’s residents and businesses can be proud of. We are on the ground floor of something great.”
One of the more popular attractions was the $1 ride on the flight simulator. The line was full of eager, future pilots. “It was like we were really there – like in a fighter jet where we were riding up with the pilot, commented, Tonae Diefenbacher, 13. “It was cool when we turned and all these people started shooting at us.”
We were given a sneak peak at the new “Space – Dare to Dream” exhibit that includes logic games about space, balance, and scientific laws – gravity, leverage, etc. It was great fun for the kids and their parents. “This is a cool place to go,” beamed three-year-old JT Ivey of Elverta. His little sister Lexie was not quite as excited about all the airplanes, but she was a huge fan of the “ice king” from Marble Slab Ice Cream counter. “The Jimboy’s tacos were definitely the best,” agreed brothers, Jesse and Sam Buckingham from North Highlands. Eleven-year-old Levi Watson of Citrus Heights agreed, but noted, “I will definitely try the marshmallow sticks from Marble Slab next time.”
Special guest, Adrienne Bankert from KCRA Channel 3 was emcee for the evening, joking with guests, enjoying wings from Wingstop in Antelope, and handing out dozens of raffle prizes. “This was absolutely fantastic. I love doing these events. It’s a chance for the community and local businesses, not to mention KCRA, to get involved and be a part of something. And, as always, the kids were great.”
This NHN Press Party was a great success. We couldn’t have done it without YOU – our readers. Thanks for showing your support, once again.
Stay tuned for the next press party Saturday, May 31st at The Wing Stop at the corner of Walerga and Elverta. It is our goal to bring our communities together for great family-oriented fun!