Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s Attractions announced Wednesday the showing of the new Pearl Harbor Exhibit with a special ceremony and also presented their new additions to the Ripley attractions. A new world record was also set at the event.
Commissioner Kevin Triplett of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development spoke and singer Con Hunley mesmerized the audience while singing patriotic songs along with the Gatlinburg Pittman High School Marching Band who played a melody of military fight songs.
The highlight of the ceremony was when two Pearl Harbor Survivors were honored; Lt. Colonel James A. Seals of Crossville, Tenn. and Sergeant Durward Swanson of Maryville, Tenn.
Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett speaks at a ceremony for the Pearl Harbor Exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies honoring Pearl Harbor survivors.
Con Hunley performing at a ceremony for the Pearl Harbor Exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
Gatlinburg Pittman High School Marching Band
The audience was also part of a Guinness World Records attempt. In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, all attendees at ceremony took part in setting a Guinness World Record. 323 people successfully assembled the “Largest Image of an Arrowhead” in the shape and colors of the National Park Service logo. The attempt was made possible through collaboration with the City of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Guinness World Record official awards certificates for the “Largest Image of an Arrowhead” to Cassius Cash, superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle.
World Record for “Largest Image of an Arrowhead”
A drone captured the Largest Image of an Arrowhead from above and also got a great shot of Ripley’s solar panels for TVA’s Green Power Providers Program.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is featuring their first 3-gallery changeable exhibit ‘Pearl Harbor’ and just opened the newly renovated Discovery Center that features a new Million Dollar 3-Story Treehouse, Play Center with Bridges, Slides, Obstacle Course and a new touch jellyfish exhibit.
“We are so fortunate to add these magnificent additions to our Ripley attractions, and I am so happy we can give back so much more for our guest to enjoy. We have everything from our new Pearl Harbor exhibit at the Aquarium to our new renovations at our Guinness World Records Museum,” said Ryan DeSear, general manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
Guinness World Records completed renovations and opened their largest interactive challenge gallery with over 20 interactives, games, challenges and new amazing records throughout.
During Ripley’s $10 for Tennessee Residents special, residents of the state may visit any of the Ripley’s Attractions in Tennessee for just $10 per ticket!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium has integrated a new Scavenger Hunt that brings more interactive fun and excitement for all ages. The scavenger hunt gives visitors more fun when exploring the wonderful world of Robert Ripley as they tour the odditorium using their smart phones to find items, social shares, goofy polls, funny quizzes and photo ops.
Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater is featuring two new shows, Monkey Madness and Happy Feet and Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze has cool new lighting throughout the maze.
