Len Karch as a human being carried by an alien from outer space takes part with other costumed creatures in a previous Mars New Year celebration.

The countdown has begun for Mars New Year.

After several meetings between mission members, the planning committee is preparing to launch preliminary plans for the Aug. 27 and 28 celebration.

The community event began in 2015 in the borough. It's held roughly every 687 days to commemorate the Martian New Year.

This year's event will be a “pandemic version,” according to borough Mayor Gregg Hartung.

He said the celebration actually began in February, when the local Mars Robotics Association started offering a virtual, interactive speaker series.

It was a preview of things to come.

“We are launching our Mars STEAM Challenge via the internet,” Hartung said.

The virtual video project is open to students in grades three through 12.

It challenges applicants to generate “innovative, real-world” solutions to this year's mission:

'You and 99 other earthlings are sent to live on Mars. Imagine one problem, challenge or need you might face on your new planet. Try solving it using science, technology, engineering, arts and math.'

Participants have access to a virtual “toolkit” that lets them learn more about Mars and how professionals find ways to navigate space.

Students can win first, second and third place prizes in the amounts of $1,000, $400 and $250, respectively.

The contest will be judged by a panel of NASA officials and representatives from STEAM-based companies.

Although plans still are being adjusted, some in-person activities are already planned for the Friday-through-Saturday event.

“Friday evening will be one of celebration,” Hartung said.

Friday activities are set to include special speakers, exhibits and music.

The special Firefly Drone light show will return Friday night.

“With hundreds of drones over Mars,” Hartung said. “They will also do another show to close out the event on Saturday night.”

The planning committee continues to finalize details with NASA and other collaborators.

Hartung said those involved with planning are working hard to make sure visitors are in awe and wonder come August.

“It will be another unique Mars New Year 2021 in the town that is just a little bit out of this world — Mars, Pa.,” Hartung said.

More information will be available closer to the event, with the official Mars New Year website MarsNewYear.com updating along the way.

Information about the Mars STEAM Challenge is available at https://marssteamchallenge.org/.