The Cleveland Aquarium’s underwater tunnel allows guests to get up-close to all angles of the Aquarium’s sharks and other sea creatures

One of the highlights of Scott’s and my first visit to the Cleveland Aquarium was the underwater shark tunnel.

Designed by Marinescape, the Seatube is a a clear, 145’ walk-through tunnel that allows guests to get up-close to all angles of the Aquarium’s sharks and other sea creatures (as well as a few scuba divers!).

In this and other tanks throughout the renovated Power House, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium houses over 18 sharks, including nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, sand bar sharks and black nose sharks.

To celebrate sharks worldwide, the Aquarium is hosting its first Shark Weekend this coming Saturday and Sunday (July 28 and 29).

Sand shark at the Cleveland Aquarium

Because of activities like shark finning (which is responsibile for killing up to 2,500 sharks every 30 minutes), shark populations are in a global decline with their numbers falling by more than 80% in many cases.

To help build awareness of the problem – as well as how everyone can help sharks through their personal actions and buying choices, the Aquarium’s Shark Weekend will feature the free event SHARKS: Draw the Line.

SHARKS: Draw the Line is a community art project that will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the Aquarium on July 28 and 29.

Sharks: Draw the Line takes place July 28 and 29

From 10am-4pm on July 28, volunteers will use plywood templates to draw 2,500 silhouettes of various shark species, ranging from about 3 feet to 6 feet in length.

The collection of shark silhouettes on pavement will make clear the epic ecological loss that shark finning causes as each hour passes.

Then on July 29 from 10am-4pm, visitors may pick up colored chalk and fill in the line-drawn sharks, creating a bright mosaic to help turn the tide in public awareness.

In addition to the art project which was created by Northeast Ohio sculptor and graphic designer Jim Gundlach, the Aquarium will host other outdoor activities and entertainment. And a local and international petition will be available for attendees to sign that will be sent out in hopes of providing better protection for all sharks and their ocean ecosystem.

This weekend, help the Cleveland Aquarium raise awareness of sharks’ plight and save 20% on admission after the event

As a thank you, the Aquarium is offering 20% off same-day admission to any person who participates in SHARKS: Draw the Line that would like to visit after the event. GCA Passholders can also bring 1 free guest on Shark Weekend.

And to celebrate Shark Weekend, I’m also giving away a 4-pack of tickets for the Greater Cleveland Aquarium!

With this 4-pack, you can treat your family or gather a group of friends anytime of the year for a trip to the Aquarium. You can even use the Aquarium tickets for a fun double-date to beat the summer heat!

Fun at the Aquarium with SMITTEN…in Cleveland and Blog-The New Black

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway

**You must leave a separate comment on this post for each entry**

1) The Aquarium is home to an assortment of sharks and other marine life. What’s your favorite lake or sea creature?

2) Like “Greater Cleveland Aquarium” and “Clue Into Cleveland” on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you did both.

3) Follow @CLEAquarium and @ADHicken on Twitter and leave me a comment letting me know you did both.

4) Twitter users can get an extra entry each day for tweeting: “Celebrate Cleveland’s 1st annual Shark Weekend and enter @ADHicken’s giveaway for a 4-pack of @CLEAquarium tickets: http://wp.me/pPIgG-1n3”  (Each day you do this, you must leave a new comment.)

5) Subscribe to receive Clue Into Cleveland blog posts in your inbox or Google/blog reader and leave a comment letting me know you did. This can also include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “You’ve Got Mail” section of this page.

You have until Monday, July 30 at 11:59PM to enter. On Tuesday, July 31, I will select a winner using Random.org and will announce the winner’s name on my blog.  Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry – good luck!

***Disclosure: I was provided 4 tickets to give away to a reader. As always, the opinions I share are 100% my own. All images except the last one are courtesy of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.***