07/27/16 lds
HAYS, Kan. -- The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host its fourth annual Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party -- a free, fun-filled family evening of crafts, games, snacks and stargazing -- at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 Highway, is at the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, northeast of Great Bend.

Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every year when the earth passes through the trail of dust and debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet. The shower has more than 50 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower got its name because the meteors appear to come from the constellation Perseus.

Children will be provided with activities such as playing with stardust slime, creating their own star art and listening to a tale about Perseus on the star walk. S'mores and refreshments will be available.

In addition to the activities and crafts, the FHSU Science and Mathematics Education Institute will have its inflatable planetarium for guaranteed star-viewing.

Activities will run until the sky is dark enough to see the meteors. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for more comfortable stargazing.

For more information, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.