Marineland Dolphin Adventure is celebrating its historic 80th anniversary with a month of special events and activities.
The festivities began with the reopening ceremony for Marineland’s renovated arch on May 31, and will continue throughout June. From family fun and Hollywood magic, to a special Florida Gator event with Steve Spurrier, the month-long celebration will feature a wide range of activities for guests of all ages.
“We’re excited to present a number of family-fun events to celebrate 80 years of welcoming guests from across the world and our ongoing mission to preserve Our World Ocean,” said Gary Inks, vice president/general manager of Marineland Dolphin Adventure.
Highlights of the upcoming anniversary events include:
· Meet Our Trainers: Twice daily in June, guests can learn about Marineland’s dolphin family and see trainers interact with our dolphins.
· A farmers market will be held aach Sunday in June with live entertainment.
· 80 Years of Animal Love and Care: This will be a special evening event every Saturday in June with a movie filmed at Marineland, guided tours, live music, a free souvenir booklet, the chance to meet 15 dolphins and more from 7 to 9:30 p.m. ($35 for adults/$15 for children). Food will be offered by Rype & Readi for an additional charge. (Special ecotours and discounted docking at the Town of Marineland Marina are also available.)
· Family Sunday Fundays: Each Sunday in June, enjoy children’s events, games and education programs, plus admission for two kids free with one paid adult.
· BOGO Mondays: Buy one get one free for general admission and Marineland’s Behind the Seas Tours in June.
· Gratitude America 5k Run: This is a special run starting at Marineland at 8 a.m. on June 16 and benefiting U.S. veterans.
· Gator Night at Marineland: On June 16, Steve Spurrier will feed dolphins and re-enact the experience he had at Marineland in the 1960s.
· Official Anniversary Celebration Day: Marineland’s official anniversary will be celebrated June 23, with the event featuring special guests, proclamations, food and beverages, a silent auction and a free souvenir booklet for those in attendance.
Marineland Dolphin Adventure opened as Marine Studies in June 1938. Over 30,000 guests visited on opening day, and the park quickly became known as the world’s first oceanarium. Marineland’s three founders – Douglas Burden, C.V. Whitney, and Ilia Tolstoy (the grandson of author Leo Tolstoy) – were each involved in the motion-picture industry, and it became a premier facility for shooting underwater footage for both feature films and newsreels.
More information about Marineland Dolphin Adventure and its 80th anniversary celebration is available online at www.Marineland.net, or by calling (877) 933-3402.
