Feed Your Family To the Sharks at North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

By Claire Aubel 

Atlantic Beach, NC - Fins to the left, fins to the right… the Aquarium stays open late for a shark-themed Family Night on Thursday, July 30. Join the fun frenzy from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; ticket sales end at 8 p.m.

Fin-filled activities include:

• Touch a shark! A special exhibit of bamboo sharks lets you get a feel for these creatures
• Chat with Aquarium divers as they swim with sharks in a “Live Dive”
• Enjoy the action as a nine-foot sand tiger and other sharks in the Living Shipwreck eat
• Touch some shark cousins and see what mealtime brings in a stingray encounter
• Check your shark knowledge with the “Sharks Around the World” game
• Talk with Aquarium staff about the special care sharks need
• Show your toothy grin for a unique photo op in the replicated jaws of a giant, prehistoric megalodon
• Bring the little ones to Discovery Classroom for shark crafts and games

The Sharks Family Night is part of the Shark Week celebrations, July 26-Aug. 1. During the week, get a close-up look at these fascinating animals with more shark-themed programs, games, films, crafts and activities.

The Aquarium offers its usual schedule of diving presentations, animal feedings, live animal programs and other activities throughout the day. Boat excursions and other fee programs also are available.

The last Family Night of the summer, Aug. 13, features pirates and maritime history.

Family Night activities are free with membership or regular admission-- $8 for ages 18-61, $7 for ages 62 and up and $6 for ages 6-17. Children 5 and under and members of the North Carolina Aquariums are admitted free. Daytime visitors may return for Family Night activities the same evening at no charge by presenting their receipts.

Ticket sales end at 8 p.m. on Family Nights. Normal operating hours outside Family Nights are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Aquarium is five miles west of Atlantic Beach at 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Atlantic Beach, NC 28512. See www.ncaquariums.com or call 252-247-4003 for more information. 

Photo: The Aquarium is wide open Thursday evening, July 30, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a Sharks! Family Night. Ticket sales end at 8 p.m. Activities are free with admission or membership. Craig Davies photo

To view North Carolina Aquariumat Pine Knoll Shores' web page, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-728-North_Carolina_Aquarium_at_Pine_Knoll_Shores