MARS — The second Mars New Year celebration held in downtown Mars on Friday evening and most of the day Saturday offered fun, food, friendship and fantasy.

The science and technology festival coincides with the complete revolution of the red planet around the sun, which occurs every 22 months.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration sent 30 astronauts and experts to the 2017 Mars New Year, which was double the number sent to the inaugural event in 2015.

NASA booths lined Irvine Street, where space enthusiasts of all ages used viewfinders to take a virtual walk on the planet Mars, saw a scaled-down model of the Mars Rover vehicle operated by remote control, and observed NASA's huge inflatable space launch system.

The University of Pittsburgh's Mobile Science Lab saw graduate students teaching children about the effects of climate change on the Earth through two experiments and games and demonstrations on four laptop computers set up in the specially outfitted coach bus.

Speakers from NASA and a costume contest graced the large stage at the south end of Grand Avenue.

The speakers discussed NASA's goal of sending humans to the planet Mars in the 2030s and the challenges of that mission.

The highest-ranking NASA official at Mars New Year was Michael Meyer, the chief scientist of the Mars Exploration Program.

Meyer's keynote speech on Friday night centered on the potential presence of water on Mars and its meaning in the planet's past and future.

“Mars is the closest planet with any hope of supporting humans for any length of time,” Meyer said.

He called Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung's idea to celebrate the red planet's new year “brilliant.”

Meyer added that he was enjoying the small borough with the other-worldly name.

“The people are friendly and excited about us being here, so I think it's going to be fun,” Meyer said.

Many young people attended the event on Friday.

Teenager Audrey Smith of Middlesex Township walked the festival with two friends as the trio shared an order of french fries.

“I came to the last Mars New Year,” Audrey said. “I love hanging out here.”

She said the festival entices kids to get involved with NASA.

Her friend, Rachel Wawrzynski of Adams Township, said the event puts the borough of Mars on the map.

“It's important because it gets the town involved and builds a better community,” Rachel said.

Declan Ryan of Adams Township also perused the festival with two friends.

Declan came to Mars New Year to learn more about space.

“It's endless and undiscovered,” he said. “It goes on forever.”

Declan planned to listen to all of the speakers slated for the stage on Friday.

Gus Hickenboth, 7, enjoyed the viewfinders that allowed him to experience the planet Mars, if only virtually. He also was fascinated with the Mars Rover booth.

But Gus said if he traveled to Mars, he would rather walk than ride in the Rover.

Jon Williams, 14, wore a pair of light-up eyeballs set in long green tubes on his head as he perused the NASA booths.

Jon appreciated the Mars New Year and the education it provides to his hometown.

“It lets everyone know about (the planet) Mars so someday maybe we can live there,” he said.

Amy Pack, the director of tourism development at the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, summed up the thoughts of all who helped organize the second Mars New Year.

“We are very excited for a big weekend and a big crowd,” she said.