Baltimore (August 9, 2004) – The National Aquarium in Baltimore has teamed up with the towns of Ocean City, Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach, Lewes and Rehoboth to celebrate and protect the ocean during Ocean Awareness Days, August 16 through 20, 2004.
Aquarium staff and volunteers, dubbed Ocean Protectors, will descend on the coast with marine animal artifacts, mock “dolphin” rescues and an Ocean Health Fair, all designed to help the public discover more about protecting our seas and the amazing animals swimming along our shores.
Activities during the week include:
- Reaching the Beach – Monday, August 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ocean Protector teams will canvas Ocean City, Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany Beaches on Monday and Tuesday, August 16 and 17. They will have marine artifacts such as sea turtle shells, whale ribs, whale jawbones and dolphin skulls and stories to accompany each item. The teams will also lead the public in mock dolphin rescues, with kids serving as the “dolphins.”
- Ocean Health Fair – Wednesday, August 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, August 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This event gave Ocean Awareness Days its start. For the fifth year in a row, the Ocean City Convention Center will serve as the venue for this fun and informative event. Larger than ever, 35 organizations will have public stations set up on Wednesday, August 18. Those in Delaware shouldn’t despair – the Ocean Health Fair crosses the state line for Thursday. Find 25 of them at Cape Henlopen and activities at the Bethany Beach stage on the 19th.
- Smitty McGee’s Bar & Grille – Thursday, August 19, 7 – 11 p.m.
Enjoy an evening at Smitty McGee’s Raw Bar & Restaurant in Fenwick Island, De. with Aquarium staff and volunteers! Patrons will help with mock dolphin rescues, see and touch animal artifacts and even get their faces painted!
- Ocean City Beach Bonfire – Thursday, August 19, 9 p.m.
Glenn Page, the Aquarium’s director of conservation, and David Schofield, the Aquarium’s manager of ocean health programs, will join Donna Abbott, media services manager for the Ocean City Department of Tourism, at the weekly bonfire near Ocean City’s Boardwalk. They will regale the crowd with funny stories from the rescue field and answer questions.
- Maryland’s Annual Dolphin Count – Friday, August 20, 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Volunteers are needed to help count dolphins along Maryland’s coast. This information is used as a snapshot to assess the dolphin population’s health. Sign up to help with the dolphin count at the Maryland Ocean Health Fair!
- Seacrets, Jamaica USA, Friday, August 20, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Seacrets and the Aquarium will host family-friendly activities from 3 – 5 p.m.; over 21 activities – including competitions and Aquarium-themed drinks – begin at 5 p.m. The morning’s dolphin count results will be released at 5 p.m.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore, a non-profit organization, is Baltimore’s leading attraction, hosting more than 1.6 million visitors per year. The Aquarium’s mission is to connect people with aquatic life in order to create a better world for both. It is dedicated to education and conservation through more than a dozen programs that serve the environment and the community.
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