The Washington Pavilion’s new planetarium has an opening date, and it’s right around the corner.
The arts and science center announced the new Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium will reopen to the public Labor Day weekend, according to a press release from the center Monday.
The $2 million project, made possible by a gift from the Dick and Kathy Sweetman family, has been in the works since October 2022, when it was first announced that the Pavilion’s CineDome would be expanded and turned into a planetarium as well as a theater.
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“We are thrilled to introduce one of the most advanced planetarium systems in the United States. The new Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium is awe-inspiring and will redefine celestial exploration for our region,” stated Darrin Smith, President and CEO of the Washington Pavilion, in the release. “With cutting-edge technology at our fingertips, we eagerly anticipate welcoming children, students and adults alike to embark on this journey of space discovery.”
The new addition will house a variety of upgrades to create an immersive experience, the release states. This includes:
- State-of-the-art, high-resolution projectors
- A seamless dome screen
- Advanced surround sound and sophisticated lighting
The facility will open at 5 p.m. Sept. 1 to the public, with an official ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31. That’s followed by several grand opening events for the community, including:
- 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1: A Free First Friday event, offering exclusive sneak peeks into future programming
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 2: Experience the official launch event with free admission to the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium, Kirby Science Discovery Center and Visual Arts Center, thanks to programming sponsor Aerostar.
- Noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 3: Regularly scheduled programming will begin with showings every hour. Programming will include planetarium shows “Experience the Aurora,” “Robot Explorers” and “Unseen Universe” as well as new large-format film “Wings Over Water.”
For more information, visit WashingtonPavilion.org.