Norwalk residents can get close to seals, sharks, sea turtles and other animals for free on Sat., Dec. 6 in a special deal offered by their grateful hometown jewel, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
The Maritime Aquarium is thanking the residents of Norwalk for their support by offering free Aquarium admission on Dec. 6 – the third of three such opportunities. (The others were Oct. 4 and Nov. 1.)
On “Salute Norwalk Day,” Norwalk residents can enjoy their favorite Aquarium animals for free, and enjoy discounts on the 40-minute IMAX® documentaries. (Proof of residency is required.)
Dec. 6 will be a smart day for Norwalk residents to do some discounted holiday shopping in the Aquarium Gift Shop – from a selection of plush animals and marine-science-themed toys for the kids to jewelry, apparel and home accessories for adults on your list. (Reminder that entry into the Aquarium Gift Shop is always free. But special discounts of 10 percent to Norwalk residents are only available on Dec. 6.)
Visits to The Maritime Aquarium bring families closer as they get close to more than 2,700 marine animals – including sand tiger sharks, harbor seals, river otters, sea turtles and pulsing jellyfish – nearly all of which are native to Long Island Sound and its watershed. Highlights include the seals demonstrating some of their entertaining behaviors during feedings at 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 & 3:45 p.m. And the Shark & Ray Touch Pool, the “Jiggle A Jelly” touch-a-jellyfish display and the Intertidal Touch Tank bring animals right to your fingertips – literally.
The special day presents a free chance for Norwalk residents to vote in the Aquarium’s 13th annual “Festival of Lighthouses Contest,” which features 24 large model lighthouses made by local artists, families, students and individuals – including three Norwalk residents. Follow these imaginative beacons through the aquarium galleries and then vote for your favorite. The lighthouse that gets the most votes as of Jan. 19 wins $1,500.
“Salute Norwalk Day” also gives city residents a free chance to admire two historic Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals painted by Alexander Rummler in 1937 and displayed in The Maritime Aquarium. (The WPA was part of FDR’s “New Deal” in the 1930s to help shake America out of the Great Depression and get people – including artists – back to work.)
On “Salute Norwalk Days,” the citizenry can take pride as well in their hometown IMAX movie theater, whose six-story screen is the largest in Connecticut. Norwalk residents will receive $1 discounts on the 40-minute IMAX documentaries: “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar” at 11 a.m., “Born to Be Wild” at noon, “Journey to the South Pacific” at 1 and 3 p.m., and “Great White Shark” at 2 p.m.
“Salute Norwalk Day” is just one of many contributions The Maritime Aquarium makes to Norwalk and its citizens. The Aquarium offers dozens of educational programs and other marine science opportunities that supplement the education of Norwalk's students, sometimes at no cost to the schools. And the Aquarium and its 450,000 visitors inject more than $20 million annually into Norwalk's economy.
Learn more about the exhibits, IMAX movies and special programs offered at The Maritime Aquarium by calling (203) 852-0700 or by going online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.