First Fridays at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM)
Truly a great event, the museum offers a night of fun to a community of young and old alike. First Fridays is held the first Friday of each month from January through June, and yesterday was the finale of the  2011 season.
The final First Friday was a treat. With an estimated 2,000 in attendance, the galleries were bustling with “kids” of all ages, some there for the first time, but also many reminiscing about coming to this Southern California jewel of a museum.

Take a look at some of the pictures from First Fridays last event on June 3, 2011.

I was very encouraged listening to some of the conversations taking place, seeing people texting, and sharing their experiences and really enjoying themselves. People were clearly having fun but not getting out of control or too crazy. That is not what this series is about. First Fridays is from 5-10 p.m. and well managed, with very visible museum security.  Participants are encouraged to take pictures, unlike many other institutions. It is really a good time, and encourages the visitor to learn a little something about the natural world.
If you have not been here for a while you’ll see new exhibits and major improvements being made to this museum. New entrance, handicap access, and plenty of touch screen displays and other cool bells and whistles that make for a memorable and hands-on experience of science.

I will be back, hopefully on the First Friday of January 2012!