Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
AquaScarium promises ‘A Monstrously Good Time’
The Tennessee Aquarium’s annual all-ages Halloween party, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28, will take on a “monstrous” theme in honor of the newly opened Monster Fish exhibit. Both Aquarium buildings and River Place (the adjacent building where Monster Fish is located) will be packed with family-friendly spookiness.
AquaScarium IX: A Monstrously Good Time will begin at 4 p.m. when guests can begin their Halloween trek in the Tropical Costumed kids and divers add to the fun at the Tennessee Aquarium’s annual Halloween party, AquaScarium. Cove. There, pirates will be standing guard over a hoard of candy outside the entrance to the gallery, which will be transformed into a Mermaid Lagoon for the event.
Families, especially kids, are encouraged to arrive in costume for their trip through the specially decorated pathways and galleries of the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings as well as the newly opened Monster Fish exhibit, which is included with each ticket. Along the way, they’ll be able to top off their treat sacks at a dozen candy stations, join a dance party, experience close- up animal encounters and meet friendly mascots, staff and volunteers decked out for the occasion and ready to entertain.
“We have special guest appearances lined up with a Swedish chef, a not-somad scientist and a few buccaneers,” says marketing and sales manager Meredith Roberts, adding that a certain ice princess and a droid from a galaxy far, far away also may make an appearance.
The fun continues out-
If you go
What: AquaScarium IX: A Monstrously Good Time.
When: 4- 8: 30 p. m. Friday, Oct. 28.
Where: Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St.
Admission: Members, $8 children and adults; nonmembers, $30 children 3-18, $40 adults (memberships available on-site, $145 for two adults and five children for unlimited visits for a year and reduced or free admission to special events). Phone: 1- 800-262- 0695. Website: www.tnaqua.org. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. side on the plaza, where guests will be able to take advantage of spooky diversions such as tattoo stations, face painting, cornhole and other surprises.
AquaScarium continues until 8: 30 p. m., well past the Aquarium’s normal 6 p.m. closing time. Roberts says exploring the facility after hours is always a treat, but it’s especially exciting when it offers unique opportunities such as the chance to meet and pose for photos with scuba divers decked out as superheroes and other characters.
“Our volunteer divers have as much fun as our guests during AquaScarium,” she says. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell who is enjoying themselves more.”
AquaScarium tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at https://community.tnaqua. org /events/ f a l l - 2016/ aquascarium.