If you are looking for an educational Halloween activity that will provide wholesome family entertainment, and a few creepy crawlies, Coral World will supply just that and more at its third annual Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 28. Best of all, children under 12 years old in full Halloween costume will be admitted for free.
The festivities will begin at noon with the opening of a spook house. Haunted by a costumed character, the spook house is for brave young souls unafraid of touching eyeballs, fingers, ears, guts, and other typical monster foods. "It sounds pretty gruesome," said Lisa Berry, who helped staff the spook house last year, "But it's really a treat for kids. They laugh the whole time and keep coming back in all day long."
Children can also have their faces painted and get temporary tattoos at booths set up in the amphitheater. Under the black lights of the Marine Gardens Reef at Night exhibit, the tattoos will glow in the dark. A fortuneteller will be on hand to read palms, cast spells and deliver words of wisdom. Guests of all ages can also have their pictures taken with exotic birds.
"Our Halloween parties have been very popular ever since we re-opened, three years ago", said Trudie Prior, the park's general manager. "Not only do guests enjoy themselves, but employees really get involved," she said. Last year divers surprised everyone by wearing a Halloween mask s during the underwater feeding presentations.
All of Coral World's exhibits will be open throughout the party, including the Predator Tank where you will find beady-eyed sharks, a toothy barracuda, a monstrous snapper and other predators. During the scheduled talks and feedings, visitors will have the chance to hand feed stingrays, pet a baby shark and talk to an aquarist.
Admission for local residents with identification is $8 for adults and $4 for children. There is no charge for children under 12 in full costume or for children under the age of three. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Each child will receive a Halloween goody bag when leaving the park. Coral World is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. The ticket booth closes at 4:00pm. For more information, call 775-1555 ext. 247.
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