Earth Weekend at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

In celebration of the upcoming Earth Day (which is April 22), Heal the Bay is hosting a special Earth Weekend this Saturday and Sunday at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

Offering special activities and workshops designed to both inform and entertain the entire family, all events are included with the regular admission price, which is $2 for adults (with a suggested donation of $5). Children 12 and younger receive free admission with a paying adult. Special beach cleanup activities taking place both days will allow participants free admission.

Schedule of events for Earth Weekend at the Aquarium:

All day, both days: Marine debris art by artist Deb Ris.

All day, both days: Recycled tank tops = reusable bags -- decorate your free reusable bag. While supplies last.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday: Clean the beach and get free admission to the Aquarium. Note: All cleanup participants must have a signed cleanup waiver form (signed by parent/guardian if younger than 18).

Noon, 2 and 4 p.m., both days: Contest for kids, with prizes.

Noon to 4 p.m., both days: Wildlife observation station.

1 to 4 p.m., both days: Who pollutes -- a fun, interactive ocean pollution workshop for the whole family.

3:30 p.m., Sunday only: Shark feeding -- get up close to the aquarium's sharks during a special Earth Weekend feeding.

Additional activities both days include arts & crafts, face painting and story times.

The aquarium is located at beach level below the carousel on the Santa Monica Pier.

Regular aquarium exhibits include interactive displays, touch tanks filled with animals found in tide pools and several large habitat tanks featuring animals and habitats found in the Santa Monica Bay.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Aquarium director Vicki Wawerchak explores the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium's touch tank with two young visitors. Credit: Heal the Bay

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