FROM:
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
West 46th Street at Hudson River Park
CONTACT:
Rubenstein Communications, Inc.
Brady Littlefield (212) 843-9220 / blittlefield@rubenstein.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORD IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS SINCE REOPENING
Museum Officials See a 50% Increase Over Previous Highest Attendance Rate
(New York, NY, March 11, 2009) -- In the first four months since the Intrepid Museum reopened after a two year renovation and restoration, over 200,000 people have visited, which is a 50% increase over the same period of time in previous years. In addition, more than 30,000 visitors came to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum during February’s Kid Week festivities, a 50% increase over their highest attendance rate in the years before the Intrepid Museum closed for renovations.
“In these tough economic times, we’re thrilled that families have recognized the value of coming to the Intrepid to learn, explore and have fun in a very cost effective way,” said Susan Marenoff, Executive Director of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
The Intrepid reopened in November 2008 after a nearly two-year renovation project that included the complete rebuilding of Pier 86, the refurbishment of 16 historic aircraft on board, the redesigning and installation of a new Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and an inside-and-out paint job for the 65-year-old aircraft carrier.
Kids Week, a week of educational programs and guest performances that took place during Presidents’ Week while students were out of class, ran from February 14th through February 22nd. Kids Week activities were free with the price of admission to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Attendance is expected to continue to thrive at the Intrepid with Fleet Week beginning May 20th. Several Fleet Week activities will be staged at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum including the Memorial Day commemoration that will include the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag on the flight deck of Intrepid. Other events that will take place at the Intrepid during Fleet Week are the “Best Chow” Competition where crews of participating vessels compete to see who truly feeds their troops best, live demonstrations of military skills and athletic competitions like tug of war and stem-to-stern relays.
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