Astronauts, Harry Potters, Olympic athletes and superheroes — they were all seen in Stanley Park Wednesday evening for the Vancouver Aquarium’s first ever After Hours adult Halloween-themed event.
People dressed as the above and more were seen perusing the grounds, many with a wine or beer in hand, learning about fish, bugs, bats, scorpions and everything else living on site. There was even an appearance by resident mascot Bee Bop Beluga and Darth Vader donning scuba gear.
Attendees were encouraged to come in costume and upload social media selfies with the hashtag #AfterHours for a chance to win tickets to a future function. Attractions that proved especially popular were the Encounters areas with belugas, dolphins and sea otters, the Wet Lab Exploration where guests could get up close and personal with marine life, and the Venomous Fishes dive show where Lord Vader descended into a murky tank complete with a glowing lightsaber.
The longest lines were seen in front of the 4-D theatre that was showing BBC Earth’s The Great Salmon Run. Those experiencing four-dimensional cinema for the first time squeaked and squealed each time a gushing stream appeared on stage and water sprayed across the audience’s faces, or when a mighty grizzly bear stomped his paw and a seat-mounted piston gently poked the back of an unsuspecting moviegoer.
Other programs included Snakes on a Stage held in the lower level of the building, and a special guest presentation by Lance Barrett-Lennard, the Aquarium’s head of cetacean research, titled Killer Whales: Tyrannosaurs of the Sea.
Children won’t miss out on the spooky fun — Halloween at the Aquarium is happening now until Nov. 2 featuring family-friendly activities.
