Residents in Independence celebrate the historic flight of a small primate.

 That's the sound of the miniature train at Riverside Park on Saturday as area residents turned out to the Miss Able Summer Blast Off. Attendees were able to ride the train and the carousel for free as part of the festivities that also included a Fun “Monkey”Run, a kids' obstacle course, and rocket launches on the oval.

The celebration was in honor of Miss Able, the rhesus monkey born in Independence, who – along with another monkey – became the first Americans to fly into space and return alive. Their historic flight blasted off on May 28, 1959. Just two years later, Astronaut Alan Shepard would become the first American human in space.

For those interested in the historic flight but missed the celebration, The NASA Exploration of Space Exhibit will be available for viewing at the Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum through Friday.