Titanic exhibition stays afloat

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies announced today they will display the “Titanic: Island of Life Exhibition” until December 2003. The Titanic exhibition, which opened in May of 2002, was originally scheduled to stay on display through May of 2003 at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Due to public demand and the hundreds of requests received the Titanic exhibition is being held over for display for an additional six months. The unique exhibition was specifically designed for Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies at a cost of over a half million dollars and is on display in the Changeable Displays Section of the Aquarium. Each year Ripley’s spends around half a million dollars to produce a unique, interactive and educational exhibition for the Changeable Displays Section. “The success of the Titanic Exhibition is exciting,” said Karl Thomas, Director of Sales and Marketing for Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The fascinating and educational presentation of the Titanic features a collection of 28 interactive exhibits that includes demonstrations, hands-on experiences, films, live marine animals and over 5,000 gallons of water. “We have so many people that love the Titanic Exhibition and return over and over again to see it. The requests to keep the exhibition were unbelievable. Due to popular demand, we decided to keep it throughout 2003,” added Thomas. Some of the exhibits include: Scale Model of the Titanic and Iceberg Birth of Iceberg Video 7’ Long Model of the Ship Fire in the Hold Ghosts of the Titanic Impact – A Porthole View 10 Minutes after Impact Sight-line Interactive Wet Exhibit 2 Fatal Wounds The Gates Final Moments, Lifeboats, and Lessons Learned Wheel of Misfortune How Cold Was It Titanic Wreck Model How Deep ROV Control Room Rusticles Debris Field Titanic Today-lost and found Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is located at traffic light number 5 in Gatlinburg, TN and is open 365 days a year. It is open 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information call 865-430-8808 or 1-800-240-1358 or visit the web site at http://www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com/