The free, public and very popular National Weather Festival will be held Saturday, November 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Weather Center. More than 4,500 people attended the event in 2011.

The unique event features hourly weather balloon launches, children’s activities, storm research vehicle displays, amateur radio demonstrations and weather related information and products.

Visitors will be allowed to tour some areas of the National Weather Center’s premier facilities, including National Weather Service Forecast operations areas. Oklahoma-based emergency response organizations will display vehicles and equipment used to respond to disasters such as tornadoes and wildfires.

About 50 storm chasing vehicles have been entered in the Storm Chaser Car Show to be eligible for prizes in four divisions: Storm Spotter, Student/Researcher, Professional, and TV Chaser.

NOAA Weather Partners and the University of Oklahoma host the National Weather Festival. Sponsors of the event include the Norman Chamber of Commerce with support from dozens of local weather and business organizations.