For Immediate Release December 19, 2014

Contact: Liz Thomas / Lauren Schiavo Thomas/Boyd Communications 856-642-6226 [email protected] / [email protected]

Camden Waterfront to Host Holiday & New Year’s Eve Celebrations Camden Offers Variety of Holiday Events for People of All Ages!

CAMDEN, NJ – The will be busy with a variety of fun, family- friendly holiday activities between now and the end of the year!

Today, Mayor Dana L. Redd of Camden and Mayor Michael A. Nutter of hosted a news conference to kick off the holiday festivities along the Camden Waterfront and Penn’s Landing. The event, hosted at City Hall in Philadelphia, outlined all the exciting activities to do along both sides of the during this 2014 holiday season.

The SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront shows will return once more to the Waterfront as a cross-city partnership between Camden and Philadelphia. SugarHouse Casino is the primary sponsor of the SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, produced again by Pyrotecnico. In addition to the traditional midnight display, there will also be a showing at 6 p.m.

“The City of Camden is thrilled to celebrate another New Year’s Eve with its sister city, Philadelphia,” said Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd. “The SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront represents a unique collaboration between our two great cities and numerous public-private partnerships that are helping to transform our waterfronts into a world-class destination.”

Visitors on both waterfronts will be able to hear the synchronized musical soundtracks accompanying the spectacular choreographed fireworks display. Clear Sound will be setting up three speakers along the Camden Waterfront promenade. KYW Newsradio will also broadcast the soundtracks to both shows, allowing folks to tune into 1060 AM and enjoy the show from wherever they may be. Additionally, CBS 3 will be televising the traditional fireworks show live at

One Port Center 2 Riverside Drive Suite 501 Camden, New Jersey 08103 Voice 856.757.9154 Fax 856.757.9478. www.CamdeWaterfront.com

midnight, complete with a special pre-show leading-up to the New Year’s Eve countdown

In addition to watching the fireworks for free from the Camden Waterfront promenade, there are many other special events taking place to ring in the New Year:

• is inviting families throughout the region to come down to the waterfront on December 31 to ring in the New Year at its third annual New Year’s Eve Splash. From 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., guests will enjoy family-friendly music and activities, up-close animal encounters, character appearances and a special New Year’s Eve “Countdown” Dance Party with Gill the Shark complete with party hats, noisemakers and confetti canons – all leading-up to the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks display on the waterfront at dusk (approximately 6 p.m.) from the Aquarium’s scenic Waterfront promenade while enjoying premium views of the City Of Philadelphia. Discounted early bird ticket are on sale now until December 25th – adults tickets prices are $25, children ages 2-12 are $18 and children under the age of 2 are free of charge. After December 25th, ticket prices are $31 for adults and $22.50 for children. For more information, visit www.adventureaquarium.com.

• The Battleship New Jersey will be opening her decks for a great view of the fireworks at both 6 p.m. and midnight. A $10 entrance donation will be collected at the door. Folks can enjoy music, prizes, and food and bar concessions available throughout the evening. For an out-of-the-ordinary New Year’s Eve experience, families can spend New Year's overnight on the Battleship as part of their award-winning Overnight Encampment Program. The price is $64.95 per person. For more information and reservations for both opportunities, visit www.BattleshipNewJersey.com, call 1-866-877-6262 or visit the Battleship's Ticket Office to pick up your tickets today.

• Waterfront Restaurant New Year’s Eve Discount: On New Year’s Eve, patrons at participating Waterfront restaurants can enjoy a special 20% discount off their dinner bill. Participating restaurants include: Vitarelli’s on the Waterfront (open until 6 p.m., limit one 20% discount per table or group), Market Street Deli (limit one 20% discount per table or group) and Victor’s Pub (limit one 10% discount per table or group).

“Each year, The SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront shows attract thousands of residents and visitors to the Camden Waterfront,” said Anthony Perno, CEO of Cooper’s Ferry Partnership. “Visitors can enjoy special discounts at local restaurants, as well as a variety of holiday-themed events at places like the Adventure Aquarium, the Battleship New Jersey and Camden Children’s Garden. Additionally, all are welcome to enjoy wonderful

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family-friendly shows and activities happening throughout the city during the holiday season. With premium views and world-class amenities, the Camden Waterfront offers visitors the perfect location to celebrate the holiday season and to ring in the New Year!”

Throughout the month, the City of Camden will be decorated for the holiday season. New garland and lights will adorn light poles along the waterfront to help brighten walkways during the holiday season.

Roosevelt Plaza Park will be a hub of holiday celebrations in Camden. This year, the park will be magically transformed into the city’s Holiday Village for the month of December. Located directly in front of City Hall, the park will feature a dazzling 32-foot holiday tree, assembled and decorated by Camden’s Department of Public Works, with synchronized LED lights and sound. Roosevelt Plaza’s pop-up park will also be getting into the holiday spirit – throughout the month of December, the pop-up park’s lights will glow festive red and green for the duration of the holiday season.

A few of the additional 2014 holiday events along the Camden Waterfront include:

• SCUBA Santa at Adventure Aquarium: Starting November 28, discover the magic of SCUBA Santa up-close and in-person as he delights children of all ages diving the Aquarium's 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit daily. Weekday appearances from now until December 26th are at 2:15 p.m.; weekend showings and all showings between December 26 – January 1 are at 11:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

• “I Believe in Scuba Santa” Live Show: Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration traditions continue in the Wonderland Theater. Scuba Santa’s #1 Helper tells the story of Christmas Celebration at Adventure Aquarium and puts the final touches on the decorations with the help of a very special guest – Scuba Santa himself! Weekday showings until December 26 at 11:15 a.m.; weekend showings, plus weekday showings from December 26 – January 1 at 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. *NOTE: Show times are subject to change. Check Show Guide for details upon arrival.

• Letter Writing to SCUBA Santa: Starting November 28 and offered every day during the holiday season, kids will have a chance to share their Christmas wishes with SCUBA Santa by delivering their letters to a special mailbox in the Aquarium’s Ocean Realm. Offered daily: 10 a.m. – 5p.m.

• Bumble Lights the Tree: A holiday favorite! Gather in Adventure Aquarium’s Rotunda under their larger-than-life Christmas tree as an elf tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with the help of four

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very special helpers. At the very end, the one and only lovable Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster arrives to help light the tree. Plus, Bumble has a special surprise for you when he makes it magically snow INSIDE the Aquarium! Shows offered weekend and December 26 – January 1 at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. *NOTE: Show times are subject to change. Check Show Guide for details upon arrival.

• Meet Rudolph and Bumble: Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and meet the Christmas legend in a way you never have before! Plus, get up close with Rudolph's lovable friend Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster during daily appearances in our Rotunda. Weekday appearances from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; weekend and appearances from December 26 - January 1offered from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. *NOTE: Show times are subject to change. Check Show Guide for details upon arrival.

• Brunch with Santa at the Camden Children’s Garden: Enjoy a delicious buffet brunch, catered by Tortilla Press, with Santa! Brunch will be held on December 6, 13 and 20. Reservations must be made in advance. For more information and advance reservations, please call (856) 365-8733.

• Breakfast with Santa on the Battleship: Come have breakfast with Santa aboard the Battleship New Jersey on Saturday, December 6 at 9 a.m. This fun-filled holiday event includes breakfast served from the chow line, a photo with Santa, prizes and a self-guided tour of the ship. Seating is limited – tickets are $24 for adults, $18 for children ages 12 and under, and $10 for military families. Call (856) 966-1652 x 107 for more information and reservations.

• FREE Hot Cocoa at Waterfront Restaurants: Free hot cocoa will be available on Fridays from November 22, 2013 to January 3, 2014 to patrons at the following participating Waterfront restaurants: Vitarelli’s on the Waterfront and Victor’s Pub. Limit one hot cocoa per person.

• Battleship New Jersey Walking Tours: The Battleship will be open for walk-up tours from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from December 20 through the 31, with the exception of Christmas Day (December 25).

Information about more fun-filled holiday events along the Camden Waterfront will continue to be released throughout the holiday season. For detailed information about any of the 2014 holiday events along the Camden Waterfront listed above, visit www.candenwaterfront.com.

All of these events are made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors: SugarHouse Casino, Adventure Aquarium, the Camden Children’s Garden, the Camden Special Services District, Cooper’s Ferry

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Partnership, the South Jersey Port Corporation, New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel & Tourism, South Jersey Tourism Corporation , and the Parking Authority of Camden City. The fireworks shows are produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, as well as the City of Camden, the City of Philadelphia, Visit Philadelphia, KYW Newsradio and CBS 3.

ABOUT COOPER’S FERRY PARTNERSHIP: Cooper’s Ferry Partnership is an economic development corporation that facilitates long-range policy and infrastructure projects for the Camden Waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods, to revitalize the City of Camden as the place to work, live and invest.

ABOUT THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT CORPORATION (DRWC): The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. DRWC acts as the steward of the Delaware River waterfront to provide a benefit to all of the citizens and visitors of the City. The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia between Oregon and Allegheny Avenues. DRWC intends to transform the central Delaware River waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia. DRWC will serve as a catalyst for high quality investment in public parks, trails, maritime, residential, retail, hotel and other improvements that create a vibrant amenity, extending Philadelphia to the river’s edge. DRWC is open, transparent and accountable in connection with its operations and activities with respect to the waterfront. Through the judicious use of financing, land acquisition and development capabilities, the Corporation will work cooperatively with city, state and federal agencies to ensure the realization of the City’s vision for the central Delaware River.

ABOUT SUGARHOUSE CASINO: SugarHouse Casino, named a 2011 “Best Places to Work” by the Philadelphia Business Journal, opened in September 2010 as Philadelphia’s first casino. SugarHouse features 1,602 slots, up to 53 table games, fun and unique dining options, riverfront views and free on-site parking. The casino employs approximately 1,000 people and is one of 10 operating casinos in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.sugarhousecasino.com.

ABOUT VISIT PHILADELPHIA: Visit Philadelphia makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

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