PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- You will not need to travel far beyond the city limits to enjoy family friendly Halloween-themed events and activities. The attractions along the Philadelphia and Camden waterfronts have joined forces to present Halloweekend on the Waterfront 2006, October 24-October 30, 2006. For the first time, the multiple attractions and businesses that line the Delaware river along Penn's Landing and the Camden Waterfront are working together to create a complete Halloween adventure for visitors to either side of the river. Participating attractions include: Adventure Aquarium, the Battleship New Jersey, the Blue Cross RiverRink, the Camden Children's Garden, Dave and Buster's, the tall ship Gazela, the Independence Seaport Museum, the Penn's Landing Corporation, Ride the Ducks, and the Spirit of Philadelphia.
Visitors to Halloweekend on the Waterfront 2006 will receive a special Delaware River Passport with offers and discounts from the participating organizations or visitor can also visit the participating attractions websites to download the coupons and special offers to each of the waterfront attractions.
The ADVENTURE of the Halloween season sets sail with the tall ship Gazela, berthed at Penn's Landing, located at Market Street and Columbus Boulevard. Built in 1883, Gazela is one of the world's largest and oldest wooden vessels sailing today. Rumor has it that she was also one of the most haunted ships afloat. Visitors can explore her depths and feel the ghostly presence of cursed souls as the Halloween season approaches.
Haunted Gazela will be open for haunted tours from October 27-31 beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a special children's matinee of haunted tours on Saturday October 28 from 12 noon until 4 p.m. Adults will be $6 and children are just $3. All proceeds from the Haunted Gazela benefit the non-profit Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. For more information call (215) 238-0280 or visit gazela.org.
As a continuation of the popular summer series, Screenings Under the Stars, the Penn's Landing Corporation will present Screenings Under the Stars Spooky Style, as part of Halloweekend on the waterfront. Free screenings of Halloween-themed movies will be offered at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Market Street. Screenings will be offered on Friday October 27 at 7:00 p.m. and visitors can "time warp" at 9:00 p.m. with a cult classic. On Saturday October 28 beginning at 6:00, children's-themed films will be offered, then a screening at 8:00 p.m. of a spooky classic! Each child that attends the screening will receive a complimentary Children's Admission ticket to the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing, which opens for the season on November 24, 2006.
Screenings Under the Stars Spooky Style will take place at Penn's Landing's outdoor amphitheater, the Great Plaza, so participants are invited to bring a chair and a blanket to keep warm and enjoy the free film. CW Philly 57 is a proud media sponsor, along with PGN, the Philadelphia Gay News. For a listing of film titles and more information, call 215-922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com
Adjacent to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing is the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing. The museum has several themed activities planned for Halloweekend on the waterfront and all the activities are listed on their website www.phillyseaport.org or call 215-925-5439.
On October 24 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., the Independence Seaport Museum will host modern day ghost hunters on the historic ship, OLYMPIA. The ghost hunters will talk about searching for paranormal activity and see if there are any "otherworldly" spirits located on the 1892 cruiser, OLYMPIA. Tickets are just $10. For more information or to make a reservation, call 215-413-8630.
The OLYMPIA will then be transformed into a haunted ship. Guests will hear stories of angry spirits returning to haunt their enemies and of lost love at sea or even catch a glimpse of an old sailor back to roam the decks of a ship. Haunted ship tours will be October 25, 27, 29 and 30 from 7-9 p.m. and cost $10.
On October 28 from 12 p.m.-4 p.m., families are invited to a fun filled day at the Independence Seaport Museum. Children and parents are encouraged to dress up at explore the museum and take part in activities, arts and crafts, and of course some trick-or-treating. For more information, call 215-925-5439 or visit www.phillyseaport.org.
The Spirit of Philadelphia is joining on for the spooky waterfront fun! The Spirit is offering a Halloweekend Cruise, setting sail at midnight on October 28, 2006. The "Halloween Monster Bash" Cruise, a two-hour late-night dance party event aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia. Come in your best Halloween costume and have a fun night out on the water with light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. All guests must be 21 years with valid photo ID. Visit www.spiritofphiladelphia.com for more information and reservations.
The Spirit of Philadelphia is part of Spirit Cruises LLC, the largest harbor cruise company in the United States. The company, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., has a fleet of 13 luxury dining ships in six American port cities: Washington D.C., Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia and Norfolk. For more information, call 800-8SPIRIT (800-877-4748) or visit www.spiritcruises.com.
Ahoy, Mateys! The ADVENTURE of the Halloween season continues on the Camden Waterfront with Adventure Aquarium's second-annual "CREEP IN THE DEEP," taking place October 14-October 31. Ghosts and goblins of all ages who come to Adventure Aquarium's "CREEP IN THE DEEP" will encounter a ghost ship appearing to sail through a misty wall of the spookified 550,000-gallon Shark Realm. Children can attend Captain Kidd's "Pirate Training School," where the legendary pirate and one of his crew teach pirate table manners, and how to walk and talk like a real pirate. Guests will hear the tale of Captain Kidd's treasure, which legend says was scattered in the deep ocean to be protected by the sharks.
To add a creepy challenge, Adventure Aquarium guests can attempt the "Creepy Creature Hunt," with a treasure map that will lead them throughout the aquarium on a quest for specially marked exhibits highlighting the "creepy creatures" of the land and deep sea. Prizes will be awarded. Adventure Aquarium Passport holders will get extra special "CREEP IN THE DEEP" treatment on Tuesday, October 24, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. with an exclusive evening, free and open only to Passport holders. Ticket prices are: $16.95 Adults; $13.95 Children (2-12). Advanced reservations available by phone, 866-451-AQUA, or visit our website at www.AdventureAquarium.com.
The fun continues at the Camden Children's Garden with Goblins in the Garden taking place Saturday October 28 and Sunday October 29 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Children in costumes receive half-off admission. Visitors can take a Haunted Train Ride on the Spooky Express, enter a Haunted Maze, or meet some bumbling bandits on the Spooky Express. Guests can also meet Q102's promotions team, have their fortune read by Future Frita, and enjoy concessions, crafts, games, and storybook reading The Camden Children's Garden is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children (age 3 -11) and free for children two years and under. Additional information is available online at www.camdenchildrensgarden.org, or call (856) 365-TREE.
The Battleship New Jersey offers the chance for a Spooky Sleepover during Halloweekend on the Waterfront. The Overnight Encampment program includes dinner and breakfast served chowline-style in the crew's mess, an after-hours tour of the historic WWII-era battleship, a ride on the 4D flight simulator and a bunk- right where the sailors used to sleep! The weekend of October 28 and 29, all kids touring the ship or sleeping over in an encampment will receive a "treat" courtesy of Just Born Candy. Encampments are available Friday and Saturday nights all year-round, and just $49.50 per person (all campers must be 7 or older). For more information visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org or call 856-966-1652 x203.
Halloweekend 2006 is a partnership between the Philadelphia and Camden Waterfronts. A complete list of the events and links to all of the partners' websites as well as a downloadable version of the Delaware River Passport can be found at www.pennslandingcorp.com. The Delaware River passport contains discounts and offers for all the attractions participating in Halloweekend 2006. The Penn's Landing Corporation website, www.pennslandingcorp.com is a virtual resource allowing visitor's to park, play and stay all day along the waterfront.