BENTONVILLE — The science "experience" attendees witnessed at the Amazeum's groundbreaking Wednesday was a preview of what the interactive family museum will offer once open, said Sam Dean, executive director.

About 300 people gathered in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot on Northeast J Street for the event. The 44,500-square-foot museum will be built south of the church at 1009 Museum Way.

Instead of traditional golden shovels and the ceremonious turning of dirt, geysers of soda sprayed into the air as members of the Brandenburg family released Mentos into nearly 100 two-liter bottles to Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" then Europe's "Final Countdown." Brightly colored foam shot out from bottles hidden behind an Amazeum sign for the grand finale. Strong wind blew the soda, spraying some audience members.

Angie Brandenburg has been involved with the project since chairing the first Dancing with the Stars in 2006. The event has been an annual fundraiser for the museum. At that point the museum was just an idea. It's progressed every year, she said.

"People just believed in us that first year and supported us for the next seven, and we're here today," Brandenburg said.

Dani Dingman and her 2-year-old son, Bo, were close enough to "feel a little of the magic," she said with a smile.

Dingman came from Fayetteville for the groundbreaking. She said she heard about a children's museum coming to Northwest Arkansas when she moved here in 2007.

"We've been waiting and waiting and waiting, and every once in a while check the website to see if there was any progress," she said.

Dingman has visited other children's museums across the country and said it's something that has been lacking in Northwest Arkansas.

"We're really excited to have one here," she said.

She added she loved hearing it will be designed to highlight specific aspects of the region. "It's not just going to be a children's museum that's going to be plunked right here. It's going to be meaningful to us."

Haizlip Studio is designing the museum. Reb Haizlip, architect, explained the "DNA of the museum" is the community's "tremendous love" for the Ozarks' natural habitat and "great affection" for its heritage.

The museum will include a discovery garden, natural heritage place and numerous activities and experiments, he said.

"There's a sense of optimism for the future of this place unlike anywhere we've ever been and seen as we've developed children's museums across the country," Haizlip said. "You're an optimist, forward-thinking group of people, and you love this place; and that's the magic we've tried to bottle for this museum."

Elda Scott and her daughters Amelia and Sophia spoke on behalf of Lee and Linda Scott, early supporters and presenters of the museum.

Elda Scott and her husband have been involved with the project since its beginning eight years ago. She thanked the community, sponsors and donors.

"It's been a labor of love," she told the crowd. "To see all our efforts come together today is a really proud moment for our family."

Sophia Scott, 11, read a letter from her grandparents who were unable to attend the ceremony.

NW News on 04/17/2014