Aquarium Presents the Sea of Lights
The opening of a new art exhibit, an extraordinary light display, Santa and unique gift ideas
put the Aquarium at the top of seasonal destinations
Newport, Oregon—The Oregon Coast Aquarium will be decked out for the holidays surrounded by a sea of twinkling lights, holiday music, a new art exhibit and unique gift ideas. The 18th Annual Sea of Lights is a festive holiday celebration Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm both evenings. A tradition for many families, visitors come from all over the region during the holiday season to visit the Aquarium, shop and spend time together at the beach. The entire Aquarium will be adorned with holiday decorations, a large Christmas tree and thousands of colorful lights. Admission to the Sea of Lights is two items of food and $2, or $5. Admission is free to members.
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“We put up about three miles of lights,” said Bob Llewellyn, Aquarium Grounds Manager. “We are going to LED’s each time we replace a new string, to slowly replace the old standard minis. LEDs use 8 or 10 times less electricity than the standard lights. Llewellyn said there will be a big lighted tree in the lobby, lots of lighted small trees and many lights outdoors.
At the Sea of Lights, guests will enjoy face painting, holiday music and a visit with Santa while parents snap photos. After visiting with Santa, guests can stroll through a sea of twinkling lights to the sounds of music, the Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs, the Coastalaires and Women of Note. The gift shop will be open with holiday displays and gift ideas. In addition, a bake sale and children’s craft area will be offered.
This year, the Sea of Lights coincides with the opening of Washed Ashore, a new art exhibit featuring sculptures of marine life constructed of plastics found on the beach. “As an antidote to despair, we pick up plastics from Oregon beaches and make educational art,” said Angela Haseltine Pozzi, artist, educator and creator of the exhibit. “Community members of all ages are working together to gather the beach plastics and construct giant sculptures of the marine animals most affected by the plastic pollution.” Since the inception of the project, thousands of pounds of plastic pollution have been processed into art supplies by Washed Ashore. The exhibit will be installed in Passages of the Deep and near the entrance of the Aquarium.
The Sea of Lights will also offer visitors a glimpse of Swampland, a new exhibit that showcases three different types of wetlands and the animals that live in them, including an American alligator, giant anacondas and a chance to “swim with the piranhas.”
In addition to holiday festivities and new exhibits, the Aquarium will also offer a variety of gift ideas for conservation minded visitors. “The Aquarium is a wonderful place to get some unique and lasting gift ideas,” said Jennifer Locklear, Aquarium Membership Manager. “Not only will you find gifts that your friends and family will love, you also support the Aquarium and marine conservation.” Locklear said the Aquarium is ideal for those looking for a festive and peaceful shopping experience.
Source: Public Relations Manager Oregon Coast Aquarium
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