Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) will celebrate the 39th anniversary of the annual Whale Fiesta on Sunday, January 25, 2009, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For the past 38 years, this fun-filled family event, co-sponsored by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society, has been held to celebrate marine mammals, and the beginning of the migration of the Pacific gray whales along Southern California.
Over 20 marine life organizations will exhibits and provide information about their efforts to bring awareness and to protect these animals. Throughout the day whale experts will be presenting scheduled lectures on various marine mammals.
This year you can participate in the building a life-sized rare Cuvier’s beaked whale out of sand on our beach. Grab your shovels and come lend a hand! The highlight of the day is the “Great Duct Tape Whale Contest,” where model whales are created by all ages. Other special activities throughout the day will include face painting, music, marine mammal related arts and crafts projects for all ages, puppet shows, an inflated crawl through whale and a passport contest for fabulous prizes. You can also ring the bell and spout out your own tale at our Whale Poets corner.
The celebration’s grand finale will be “Whale Dynamics,” conducted by John Olguin, Director Emeritus of the Aquarium who will transform all participants into a single “living whale.”
The Aquarium’s Exploration Center, Aquatic Nursery and the Marine Library will be open to visitors 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spend the whole day enjoying the many activities; there is no admission charge. Free parking is available at 22nd and Miner Streets with access to a free shuttle in each direction.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is located at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive in San Pedro, and is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. For more information or to receive a calendar of events, call (310) 548-7562 or www.cabrilloaq.org online.
