The pulsing color is usually the first thing Tennessee Aquarium guests notice about the cuttlefish in the Ocean Journey building. These alien-looking creatures stare back at visitors through W-shaped pupils as they swim effortlessly around their exhibit. Equally fun and amazing are the giant spider crabs around the corner from the cuttlefish. They appear to stilt-walk their way around the visitors who climb inside the pop-up tank amidst these deep sea creatures. These animals, colorful seahorses and pulsing jellies illustrate how the saltwater world is both wonderful and weird.
On Saturday June 11th, the Tennessee Aquarium will pay tribute to these and other dazzling marine denizens during the World Oceans Day celebration. By partnering with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Ocean Project and Random House Children’s Books, this celebration will once again have a Dr. Seuss theme. Visitors can participate in a Seuss-themed ocean animal scavenger hunt and earn a free Seuss surprise at the Ocean Journey gift shop, dive into special Dr. Seuss crafts outside of Penguins’ Rock and meet some of the Aquarium’s costumed characters. Special new animal programs in Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari will introduce guests to additional saltwater creatures like horseshoe crabs and sea stars. Kids will be invited to try on ocean creature costumes in the new gallery as well. Visitors will also have opportunities to touch and feed rays at Stingray Bay, learn about sharks and colorful reef fish during World Oceans Day dive shows and even become king or queen of the seas by making their own Dr. Seuss crown.
Waves of fun will spill out onto the Aquarium Plaza as the Chattanooga River Market celebrates World Oceans Day. Freedom, the high-energy Navy band will perform on June 11th from 10:15 am to 11:15 am. Freedom will play hits from rock to jazz, blues, country and even hip-hop.
Later that same day A1A, the original and official Jimmy Buffett tribute band, will perform from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Spectators should be ready to sing and dance along during this family friendly mini-concert. This taste of the tropics is a “Bend Unplugged” preview of A1A’s Riverbend performance later that night. Both shows are free to the public.
World Oceans Day kicks off a week of special activities at the Aquarium, IMAX and aboard the River Gorge Explorer. As part of Navy Week in Chattanooga, visitors will have an opportunity to meet Navy divers, cruise with a Vice Admiral and learn more about military relief efforts during special screenings of Rescue 3D at IMAX.
Trident Divers from King Bay Georgia will greet visitors outside of Penguins’ Rock during the week of June 13th. They will also interact with guests from within the Secret Reef exhibit while surrounded by toothy sharks. These special dive programs will take place at 1:00 pm June 14th through 17th.
Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet will join passengers aboard the River Gorge Explorer on Tuesday, June 14th. Guests will discover how today’s Navy handles global security while addressing issues such as modern day pirates, disaster response and delivering relief supplies. To reserve seats aboard this special cruise with Vice Admiral Harris, go to: http://www.tnaqua.org/Events/Events.aspx
