WhaleFest 2012:

WhaleFest 2012: A Whale of a Time! Hilton Brighton Metropole, 27-28 Oct

 WhaleFest returns to Brighton this month with a wild weekend of whale and dolphin inspired activities from 27-28 October. 

Following the huge success of last year’s event which was attended by over 2,500 people, WhaleFest 2012 will be the largest celebration of wild whales and dolphins in the world and this year’s event will be spectacular. A shoal of ocean inspired enjoyment, WhaleFest will be jam packed with exciting activities for visitors of all ages including:

 35 life size whales and dolphins, not to mention sharks, seals and turtles!

• The chance to try scuba diving in the crystal waters of the dive pool
• A guided tour of a Sperm Whale belly
• Get splashed on a real-time virtual whale watching trip
• ‘Cinema of the Seas’ showing new and exclusive marine conservation films
• ‘Ocean Storytelling’ by acclaimed authors including Lauren St John, Nicola Davis and Gill Lewis
• A sandy beach to relax on while experiencing the sights and sounds of the deep blue ocean.

 Whalefest will see conservationists, divers, whale and dolphin experts and celebrities from across the globe sharing their passion for whales and dolphins with members of the public. Bill Oddie, renowned conservationist and television presenter, Doug Allan, BBC Frozen Planet cameraman, Mark Carwardine from ‘Last Chance to See’ with Stephen Fry, and Ingrid Visser, from the BBC documentary ‘The Woman Who Swims with Killer Whales’, are amongst those well known supporters who will be attending and speaking at the event.

 WhaleFest is the culmination of a whole week of WhaleFest Fringe activities in Brighton offering a host of music, arts and cultural events themed around whales and dolphins, backed by Visit Britain and Visit Brighton.  It will also feature jewellery, artwork, photography, books and DVDs all inspired by whales and dolphins, alongside exhibitors including whale watch tour companies and conservation charities. 

 WhaleFest 2012 also has a serious message to share.  Held at The Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel, the event marks the 30^th anniversary of the world’s governments vote to suspend the hunting of whales, which was announced outside the hotel in 1982. 

 Thirty years later, Planet Whale will be inviting the public to support its new campaign – Save The Whales: Reloaded. The campaign aims for the first time ever, to bring people across the globe together to help identify the next generation of Marine Protected Areas. 

 Visitors to WhaleFest will be encouraged to get involved by using an innovative free online tool to map out areas of the oceans which they would like to see ring fenced for the protection of wild whale and dolphin communities.  These will be combined with maps drawn by people across the globe to ensure members of the public, governments, charities and stakeholders all have a say in the future protection of the oceans.

 Advance tickets to WhaleFest are now available from £9 per adult at www.whale-fest.com.  FREE entry for children under 16 all weekend.

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