Riverhead Aquarium open for Halloween
Jaws, a 28-year-old loggerhead sea turtle, swims at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium in Riverhead. (April 4, 2012) Credit: Daniel Brennan
Many Halloween events may be canceled due to the effects of Sandy’s onslaught, but the sharks, penguins, sea lions, sea horses and otters at the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead will be putting in a full day for kids’ sake.
Johanna Zucaro, a spokeswoman with the aquarium on that town’s Main Street, said the exhibits opened today on time for trick-or-treaters.
Children ages 3 to 12 who come dressed in their costumes are welcome to take some candy and will be admitted free to the exhibits if they are accompanied by a paying adult, Zucaro said.
Staff used more than 700 sandbags to protect the property from flooding and stayed through the storm with the animals. The complex was not flooded and the animals were unscathed in the storm.
“A lot of events have been canceled and we know there is road access to our place,” Zucaro said, “so we are looking for a positive recovery for the Island and we wanted kids to have a place to come that is safe and fun for Halloween.”
