November 29, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Rodger Pille, (859) 815-1432, rpille@newportaquarium.com Aquarium Announces Penguin Exhibit Renovation Popular Gallery Gets Complete Makeover for Spring 2011 Newport, Ky. –- Newport Aquarium announced today that it will completely overhaul and reintroduce one of its most popular galleries: the Kroger Kingdom of Penguins exhibit. The gallery is currently home to three species (King, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins) and 28 total birds. The exhibit is kept at 34-degrees and on the lighting cycle of the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic islands, where these animals are found naturally. Spanning 1,000-square feet, including rock work and an 8,000-gallon tank, the Kroger Kingdom of Penguins exhibit was one of Newport Aquarium’s original exhibit areas when it opened to the public in 1999. “Adults and kids alike tell us repeatedly that this is one of their favorite areas of the Aquarium,” said Ric Urban, curator of birds and mammals for the Aquarium. “Our goal is to create a world-class experience and a state-of-the-art habitat for these lovable animals.” Urban calls the project a complete re-conceptualization of the cold penguin exhibit, making it instantly, visually different from its current state as the Kroger Kingdom of Penguins exhibit. Some of the highlights of the new gallery include: New seating area for Aquarium guests Improved habitat for penguins, including new rock-work Expanded gallery space Fun, new live show to accompany exhibit New interactive elements Behind the scenes construction has been underway since late September. Full construction on the exhibit will begin in early January 2011. The new exhibit is expected to open in late March. Note: Because this will be a major renovation, the cold penguin exhibit will be closed temporarily and the cold penguins will go off display from January 3, 2011 until the exhibit reopens in March. Newport Aquarium will continue to offer its popular Penguin Encounters and the daily Penguin Parade, both of which feature warm-weather African penguins, during the cold-penguin exhibit renovation. Penguin Encounters, offered five times daily, are a unique way to experience penguin life. For a nominal surcharge, guests can go behind-the-scenes with an Aquarium biologist and spend time with the African penguins in their own habitat. The Penguin Parade is the Aquarium’s unique way to start each day and features Randy, Paula, Simon or any of the other African penguins at the Aquarium. The penguins arrive in their custom-made Penguin Mobile amidst a ton of fun and fanfare. A biologist who cares for them will share interesting facts about penguins and conservation. And each day, one lucky child will be chosen at random to be the Parade's Grand Marshall. “Because we know how popular the penguins are, we wanted to communicate information about the new exhibit and its construction as early as possible,” Urban said. “The timing is good because so many people visit during the holidays for Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland. Kids will have a great chance to say ‘see you later’ to the penguins before they go off exhibit for a few weeks. Then they’ll be back and playing at the Aquarium – in new and improved space – in no time.” Newport Aquarium also announced today the continuation of its popular Winter Family Days deal. Beginning Jan. 3 and running through Feb. 28, two children (ages 2-12) will be admitted FREE with each adult paying full price. The special discount is valid every day of the week during regular operating hours for the Aquarium. Children under 2 are admitted free every day. Strollers are welcome during Winter Family Days. For more information on Newport Aquarium, including hours and pricing, visit www.newportaquarium.com or call (859) 261-7444. Reminder: Extended Holiday Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. December 26 – January 2 ### Newport Aquarium showcases thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water. You’ll be amazed at all there is to see and do, including fun and interactive activities, like touching a shark or meeting penguins. Newport Aquarium is a Herschend Family Entertainment company (www.hfecorp.com) and a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a leader in global wildlife conservation. Newport Aquarium is open to the public 365 days a year and is located only two minutes from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee.