Tennessee Aquarium Newsroom

Join the Tennessee Aquarium
this October for Thrills & Gills

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Aug. 28, 2001)-If you're lurking for some Halloween fun, creep on over to the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX ® 3D Theater for some "Thrills & Gills," for the entire month of October. Visitors will encounter a variety of creepy critters and Halloween activities.

Visitors can learn the tricks of 3-D films as the highly acclaimed IMAX film "3D Mania" conjures up the history of third dimension technology. Audiences will also get a glimpse at some of the best 3-D creations of the last 20 years.

Through the use of computer-generated imagery and live action, audiences explore the history of 3-D photography and 3-D motion pictures. They visit the realm of the third dimension with the bright, but disorganized professor of the digitally-created Institute of 3-D Technology and his flying robotic assistant Max, short for Multi-purpose Assistant eXtraordinaire.

The Professor will give the audience a crash course in 3-D technology and introduce his latest innovation-a 3-D process called Real-O-Vision.

Then Max will take the audience on a magical journey through time to explain the history of the third dimension. The trip begins with a look at early cave drawings and hieroglyphics and continues through the discovery of perspective by Renaissance artists of the 16th century.

As the virtual experience ends at the IMAX ® 3D Theater, visitors can continue their Halloween adventures at the Aquarium.

Fifty of the world's deadliest creatures slither and crawl in the Aquarium's newest gallery "VENOM: Striking Beauties." They will be able to get face to fang with the legendary black mamba, see the spine-tingling, deceptively delicate lionfish and get goosebumps when the Goliath birdeater tarantula leers at you from her lair.
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In addition to the creepy critters of "VENOM," visitors will discover a variety of spine-chilling and fascinating creatures throughout the Aquarium-and maybe even have a close encounter of the touching kind during interactive gallery programs.

Other activities throughout October that intrigue and amaze are:

"Scales and Tales" gallery presentations that take place everyday at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Aquarium staff members give visitors an opportunity to get frighteningly familiar with a variety of multi-legged creatures and mysterious animal skeletons.
Mystery touch stations located throughout the Aquarium invite visitors to touch objects from nature.
Costume divers every weekend.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" will be presented in the Aquarium's auditorium at scheduled times throughout the day. This is not the famed Hollywood "B" movie, but the "National Geographic" documentary about the bizarre, fascinating and sometimes gross world of parasites. The documentary is narrated by Dr. George Benz, chief research scientist of the Aquarium's Southeastern Aquatic Research Institute.
Kids hunt for critters with the help of an activity card, which they can turn in for a special Halloween holiday treat at the end of their visit.
A variety of cool crafts and activities will be available at the Environmental Learning Lab in the IMAX building.
A pumpkin-carving contest that is open to all ages with a variety of categories.
On October 26, come to the Phantom of the Aqua Halloween Party, a costume party at the Aquarium full of fun, spooks, crafts and surprises. Listen as storytellers weave eerie tales in the Delta gallery and watch costumed divers feed the hungry predators of the deep.

IMAX SHOWTIMES: Sept. 15 - Nov. 16

3D MANIA:
Sun -Thurs: 12 am, 3, & 6 pm ET
Fri - Sat: 12 am, 3, 6 & 9 pm ET

INTO THE DEEP 3D:
Sun -Thurs: 1& 4 pm ET
Fri - Sat: 1, 4 & 7 pm ET

GALAPAGOS 2D:
Sun -Thurs: 11, 2, & 5pm ET
Fri - Sat: 11, 2, 5 & 8 pm ET

"Thrills & Gills" is a month full of safe Halloween fun, sponsored by Coca-Cola®.

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The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is the largest freshwater aquarium in the world. Built with private contributions, this non-profit educational organization is dedicated to the understanding, conservation and celebration of aquatic habitats. Admission is $12.95 per adult and $6.95 per child, ages 3-12. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.tnaqua.org or by phone at 1-800-262-0695. Members enjoy unlimited visits and other benefits. To join or for program and trip information, call 267-FISH. The Aquarium is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas and is accessible to people with disabilities.

The Tennessee Aquarium IMAX ® 3D Theater is located in Chattanooga. Ticket prices are $7.25 per adult and $4.95 per child, ages 3-12. Admission to the Tennessee Aquarium is $12.95 per adult and $6.95 per child. Aquarium/IMAX combo tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for children. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.tnaqua.org or by phone at 1-800-262-0695.