The East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation will unveil a secret North Fork gem — a refurbished 750-gallon saltwater aquarium, the largest east of Riverhead — Friday that promises to offer a host of educational opportunities for children and adults of all ages.
The ribbon cutting ceremony, which takes place Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the East End Seaport Museum on 3rd Street, will honor the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead for their help in refurbishing the Sea Life exhibit. Seaport Museum Trustee Tracey Orlando forged a connection between the two organizations, and with the help of three Aquarium staffers, the tank has had a complete makeover and is just waiting to be filled with sea life.
The tank features the second largest sea life exhibition on the East End. The original aquarium made its debut in 1994, a cornerstone project of Seaport Museum founders. The exhibit of sea life forms serves to spotlight the flora and fauna that inhabit the Peconic Estuary.
The aim, Orlando said, is to educate visitors on the contributions of marine life to the eco-cycle, with an eye toward promoting conservation of the environment in generations to come.
Also at the event, a raffle for Lighthouse Cruise tickets and other museum gift shop items will be held. The event is free; light refreshments will be served.
