Nightmare Before Christmas to Premier At IMAX

Every holiday season, the New Mexico Museum of Space History drapes its golden cube with Christmas lights and, when they’re turned on, the building becomes the largest holiday tree in the Tularosa Basin. “This year, the event is going to be a little different than in the past, we’re going to start a little earlier with a holiday scavenger hunt in the museum, prizes for the winners, cocoa and cookies in the lobby then the lighting ceremony and a special showing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in the IMAX theater,” said Museum Public Relations Director Cathy Harper. The event is free to the public on Friday, December 5, although everyone is asked to bring a non-perishable food item. The holiday scavenger hunt is from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the museum, followed by the lighting ceremony at 6:30 and the movie at 7:00. Those who attend the scavenger hunt will also receive a preferred seating ticket for the movie.

 “Admission to the museum for the scavenger hunt is free, but we would like everyone to bring a non-perishable food item. The scavenger hunt is open to kids in kindergarten through ninth grade, but all children must be accompanied by an adult,” said Harper. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners in each age group (kindergarten – 2nd grade, 3rd – 5th grade and 6th-9th grade). First prize is a scholarship to “Shuttle Camp 2009” (day camp only), second prize is a giant six-foot Estes model rocket and third prize is a family membership to the museum. “We’ll start the scavenger hunt on the fourth floor of the museum and kids will work their way down to the first floor filling out the scavenger hunt form as they go. When they get to the first floor, they’ll turn in their filled in scavenger hunt form and receive a free goody bag,” explained Museum Education Specialist Emmanuel Davila. Cocoa and cookies will be available on the first floor as well. Museum staff will draw for the winners, but each scavenger hunt form must be filled in completely and correctly to be eligible. If a form is drawn that does not meet that criteria, another form will be drawn.

 Winners will be announced at approximately 6:30, prior to the building lighting event. Once the “golden cube” turns into a giant Christmas tree, everyone is invited to the IMAX Theater to watch a free DVD presentation of  “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. This award winning classic film from Walt Disney and Tim Burton will be shown in the newly released digitally restored and remastered state of the art technology DVD format. Seating is limited in the theater however those who attend the scavenger hunt will be given seating preference. An additional showing of the movie may be available at 8:00 pm if demand warrants it.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information about museum hours, theater show times and special events, call 575-437-2840, toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org.