Registration Advisory: This program has multiple registration options depending on your choice to attend in person at the S. Dillon Ripley Center or as an online program using Zoom.

Join in a weekend-long toast to the diamond anniversary of Smithsonian Associates. This celebratory evening event highlights three of the Smithsonian’s most scintillating exhibits and their most asked-about artifacts. You won’t want to miss it!

6:30–7:30 p.m.  How the Smithsonian Sparkles
(for both online and in-person registrants)

The first presentation of this celebratory weekend highlights three of the Smithsonian’s most scintillating exhibits: a studio model of the “Star Trek” starship Enterprise, Fancy rare colored diamonds, and ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

The National Air and Space Museum has a long-standing interest in vehicles that aim at the stars. One of the most famous fictional voyages into space is that of the Enterprise, and the 11-foot-long model that starred in the original TV series in the 1960s now resides at the museum. Space History department chair Margaret A. Weitekamp shares stories about how the museum decided to exhibit this inanimate television star and recreate some of its Hollywood sparkle.

Red diamonds are among the rarest gems on Earth, especially so-called Fancy red diamonds, which are pure red with no other color visible. This past spring, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) opened a new exhibit focused on such a sparkler: the Winston Red Diamond. Gabriela Farfan, NMNH geologist and curator of gems and minerals, delves into the Winston Red Diamond and its dazzling companions in the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection.

Several pairs of ruby slippers were made for Judy Garland to wear in The Wizard of Oz. A pair was donated to the National Museum of American History (NMAH) in 1979 and has been one of the most asked-about artifacts at the Smithsonian ever since. NMAH conservator Dawn Wallace illuminates the magic of these glittering slippers.

7:30–8:30 p.m.  Cocktails, Crafts, and Refreshments
(for in-person registrants only)

Enjoy a cocktail demonstration and tasting by drinks historian Philip Greene, pop-up crafts, and light refreshments.

In-Person Program General Information

• Important: In-person registrants will have access to all the activities from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET, including the How the Smithsonian Sparkles presentation, cocktail demonstration and tasting, drop-in crafts, and light refreshments.
• In-person registration will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, October 17, 2025.
• Refer to our health and safety information for in-person programs.

Online Program General Information

• Important: Online registrants will have access to the How the Smithsonian Sparkles presentation only. It occurs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET.
• Special Encores Extension: This online program will have a 10-day Associates Encores viewing period.
• View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom.