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10/07/2009
Monterey Bay Aquarium Celebrates 25 Years of Inspiring Ocean Conservation
on Oct. 20, 2009
Where were you on October 20, 1984? Looking back 25 years to when the Monterey Bay Aquarium first opened its doors, no one could have predicted its enormous success. To celebrate this milestone, the aquarium invites the public to a weekend celebration on October 17 and 18 and a cake-cutting ceremony on October 20.
Since its debut, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been the aquarium trendsetter for a quarter century and remains on the cutting edge of exhibit design, conservation research on sea otters, great white sharks and tuna, and consumer education about sustainable seafood. The aquarium is also home to the first living kelp forest and jellyfish exhibits that have inspired others around the world.
It was the first aquarium to offer special exhibitions in addition to permanent exhibits that showcase the rich habitats of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Over the years, aquarium visitors have seen freshwater otters, unusual sharks, deep sea creatures, exotic jellies, seahorses and more. As an integral part of those experiences, visitors have also learned about ocean conservation issues, such as overfishing, plastics pollution and threatened marine life – and what they can do to help protect Earth’s largest habitat.
As part of regular admission on October 17 and 18, visitors to the world-renowned aquarium will find a variety of fun activities and programs as part of its silver anniversary celebration. Highlights include special auditorium programs, sustainable seafood demonstrations and samples, live music, family crafts and a scavenger hunt.
Especially for this event, the aquarium is offering a special iron-on 25th anniversary t-shirt design created by “Sherman’s Lagoon” syndicated cartoonist Jim Toomey. Visitors wearing t-shirts with the custom design will receive a special prize at the event information booth. For further event details and to print out the t-shirt design, visit http://montereybayaquarium.org/vi/vi_events/vi_events_twentyfifth.aspx
On Tuesday, October 20, the aquarium will mark its silver anniversary with a short ceremony with aquarium founder Dr. Steve Webster and charter employees and volunteers, which will take place in front of the iconic Kelp Forest exhibit following that day’s 11:30 a.m. feeding show. After, visitors are invited to have a slice of cake – while it lasts – with aquarium staff and volunteers in the Hovden Cannery exhibit area.
That day is also the final free admission day for Monterey County residents. To mark its 25th anniversary year and as a thank you to the community, the aquarium gave Monterey County residents free admission on the 20th of each month from January through October. In addition to free admission on October 20, Monterey County residents will receive a 10% discount in the aquarium’s gift and bookstore and the Portola Restaurant and Cafe; members and donors receive a 20% discount in the gift and bookstore and a 10% discount in the Portola Restaurant and Cafe. Up to three children will be admitted free with each adult resident. To receive free admission, Monterey County residents must present valid identification and proof of residence at the main entrance.
Visit the aquarium’s web site to travel down memory lane via an interactive timeline, which features major milestones from inspiration to construction to the present and lots and lots of animals: www.montereybayaquarium.org/aa/timeline.aspx
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, acclaimed as one of the world’s finest, has attracted more than 46 million visitors and has won national awards for its permanent and special exhibitions, its architecture, and its cultural, educational and economic impact.
Located on historic Cannery Row in Monterey, the aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and in summer and major holiday periods from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Christmas Day). On Oct. 20, 2009 the aquarium will open at 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission in honor of the 25th anniversary. For more information visit www.montereybayaquarium.org or call (831) 648-4888.
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.
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