MARS — With rocket launches, drone races and dozens of other activities on tap, the borough will be abuzz with activity this weekend as the Mars Exploration Celebration days are set to take place.

The event, which runs Friday through Sunday, is part of the borough's third Mars New Year celebration.

Planet Mars celebrates a new year every 687 days, with the most recent occurring March 23.

Officials held the Blastoff dinner that weekend, but delayed the Exploration Celebration until warmer weather hit the area.

This year's event is slated to be bigger than ever, with dozens of activities for students and adults alike.

According to Missy Gralish, communications chairwoman for the event, those activities will be both educational and fun, offering hands-on exhibits focused on STEAM education.

Events kick off Friday with a live video chat with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

The evening will also feature a sci-fi costumer contest, an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band and a custom drone show.

Dozens of drones will be flown into the night sky to create a fireworks-like presentation.

On Saturday and Sunday, NASA officials will bring several displays and speakers.

Gralish said more than 20 NASA officials will be on hand throughout the weekend, and will display things like a miniature Curiosity rover, virtual reality headset experiences of the planet Mars, 3D panorama views of the planet, models of other rovers and spacecraft and rocks from the Moon.

“They'll also be on hand to answer any kind of questions,” Gralish said of the NASA staff.

“NASA's involvement is such an honor and an integral part of what we're trying to accomplish with this event. We want our students and community to be inspired by the possibilities of space.”

Other offerings include robotics competitions, drone races, 3D printing, and areas to create and build projects.

Projects from local students participating in the “Meet the Mars Challenge” will also be on display to the public.

Another key feature of the weekend is an escape room designed and built by students at Mars High School.

Located inside the community room at the Mars Public Library, the concept has been many months in the making.

Gralish said the room imagines that participants have landed on planet Mars to explore, but are captured by martians. They have 45 minutes to escape, dealing with challenges caused by cosmic radiation and other factors.

Registration for the escape room — which is free — begins at 4 p.m. Friday for the entire weekend, and is first come, first served.

As a special feature of the weekend, the Mars Post Office will offer a one-of-a-kind canceled stamp to commemorate the event.

In addition to Friday's entertainment, performers throughout the weekend include The Gothies Band and The Sarah James Project.

Food vendors and event memorabilia will also be available.

“The borough of Mars is excited to host and collaborate with NASA a third time, on a celebration event for the planet Mars,” said borough Mayor Gregg Hartung.

“We explore the many aspects of living on the planet Mars through the participation of students from a variety of schools, higher education institutions, community organizations and businesses.

“Our volunteers, sponsors, community supports, and partners make it all possible. Why not visit the only Mars on Earth?”