Celebrate the Season With A Holiday Fantasea and Make Shedd Aquarium Your Holiday Tradition!

Beginning Nov. 26, Shedd's New Aquatic Show Runs Daily in the Abbott Oceanarium

CHICAGO, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Don't be left out in the cold this winter break – head to Shedd Aquarium for the aquarium's new traditional celebrations of the season. Shedd offers fun, family-friendly winter programming highlighting the diversity of aquatic life.  New this year, guests can be the first to experience a never-before-seen multispecies holiday aquatic show, A Holiday Fantasea, presented by Toyota, powered by ComEd, and supported by Macy's.

A Holiday Fantasea features the Pacific white-sided dolphins, beluga whales and a California sea lion showing off their beauty and natural behaviors, accompanied by multicultural holiday music and festive backgrounds from around the world. See the Abbott Oceanarium transformed into a winter wonderland with snow covered trees, rocks and twinkling lights. Special holiday costume characters including Santa Claus will make an appearance to help spread the holiday cheer to guests! A Holiday Fantasea is a "must-sea" this holiday season.

"We're excited to share the joy of the holiday season with guests and their families from Chicago and beyond as they come home and visit the Abbott Oceanarium amphitheater and see our newest marine mammal presentation, A Holiday Fantasea," said Ted Beattie President/CEO. "We welcome guests to visit Shedd Aquarium and start their own holiday traditions during this very special time of year. We hope everyone enjoys the new holiday programs, participates in an animal encounter or simply takes time to relax and view our vast diversity of animals."  

A Holiday Fantasea runs from Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. Shedd Aquarium is grateful to ComEd for their generous support of Shedd's aquatic shows, including A Holiday Fantasea.

NEW PRESENTING SPONSOR: TOYOTA

Shedd Aquarium is pleased to announce that all of its world-class aquatic shows are now supported by presenting sponsor, Toyota. Toyota's support recognizes the significance of Shedd's mission to connect guests to the living world, inspiring the people of Chicago and beyond to make a difference.

"Shedd Aquarium is extremely pleased and grateful to receive the support of Toyota," said Shedd President/CEO Ted Beattie. "Toyota's partnership furthers our mission to provide aquatic education and programming for our more than 2 million visitors this year.  Their support allows Shedd's amazing animals to continue inspiring future biologists, conservationists and environmental leaders."

"We feel privileged to be partnering with the Shedd Aquarium," said Michael Rocco, General Manager of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.'s Chicago sales region. "The support of education is one of the pillars of Toyota's community relations efforts, so this partnership is a logical one for our company.  For the past 80 years, millions of people have learned about the marvels of sea life because of the Shedd Aquarium, so we are pleased to have a role in the continuance of this tradition."

ABOUT TOYOTA

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion.  Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.77 million vehicles in 2009. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com, www.scion.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

MORE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AT SHEDD:

Shedd Aquarium also provides continual holiday entertainment throughout the building. From winter-themed decorations to experiencing the Polar Express 4-D feature and from private breakfasts with Santa to carolers singing throughout the Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium is Chicago's newest and most exciting holiday family tradition.

For more information about A Holiday Fantasea and various programs and updates, visit Shedd's website at www.sheddaquarium.org.

Additional Generous Support:

Shedd Aquarium's aquatic shows, including A Holiday Fantasea, are proud to be powered by ComEd. The 2010 production of A Holiday Fantasy is graciously supported by Macy's.

Shedd Aquarium is supported by the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District.  Shedd Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums  and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

SOURCE Shedd Aquarium