Pirates and paw prints, salamanders and sand sculptures, foot-tapping music and nature’s own nightlights…. July isn’t just about the 4 th and fireworks. It’s the month for Family Nights at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.
Every Thursday in July, the Aquarium extends its hours until 9 p.m., with activities that follow a different, fun theme each week. Leap Year bonus: five Thursdays in July means five Family Nights!
Family Night activities begin at 5 p.m., and are free with regular admission or membership. The themes and a sampling of activities include:
July 3 – Slime, Scales and Salamander Tales
Take the leap into the world of frogs, as well as salamanders, turtles and other cold-blooded creatures. Famed sand sculptors Sandy Feat create a larger-than-life masterpiece in honor of “Year of the Frog.” Author Deborah Van Dyken reads from her book, The Little Turkle, and signs copies.
July 10 - CSI: Critter Signs Investigation
Don’t be clueless. Read animal “sign language” such scent, scat, tracks and other clues that identify out-of-sight critters. Meet feathered friends in live bird programs, presented by the Outer Banks Wildlife Center Shelter.
July 17 - Pirate Night
En garde! Put on your eye patch and walk the plank for a swashbuckling night of friendly pirates, hidden treasure and tales of the high seas. Shiver your timbers with swift swordplay by the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group.
July 24 – Banjos to Beach Music
Bluegrass, beach music and big sharks mix it up to spotlight North Carolina culture from the mountains to the sea. The Bridgewater Band brings bluegrass tunes, while the Atlantic Beach Shag Club shows off fancy footwork. Potter Jennifer Smith and decoy carver Jerry Talton also demonstrate their creative skills.
July 31 - Glow Wild!
Take a walk with giant roving jellyfish and bask in the gleam of lantern fish, planktons and other mysterious beings that light up the deep with bioluminescence. Take a musical trip to the tropics with the steel drum band, Panyelo. Watch divers turn the Living Shipwreck into a “Glow Show.”
The Family Night fun goes on until 9 p.m., but ticket sales end at 8 p.m. The Aquarium opens as usual at 9 a.m., with the regular schedule of daily programs. Live animal presentations, dive demonstrations and puppet shows are repeated in the evenings, also.
