In the same year that the Toledo Zoo is celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Aquarium rings in a decade since its reopening.
To commemorate this milestone, the Aquarium is hosting its 10-year anniversary event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We definitely needed an upgrade,” said Angie Benner, the aquarium’s manager, noting that the space originally opened in 1939.
“It was a $25 million renovation. We basically went from 46,000 gallons of total water to almost 200,000.”
What: Toledo Zoo Aquarium 10 Year Anniversary
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, 2 Hippo Way
Admission: All activities included with zoo admission, rates available at toledozoo.org/tickets
More information: toledozoo.org/events/aquarium
Before the renovations were made — which began in 2012 and concluded in 2015 — she said the Aquarium’s collection had 37 percent marine fish, with its latest count being roughly 87 percent. The aquarium also added more species of sharks during this process, along with several species of stingrays, sea nettles, and more.
“We went down a little bit in the number of species, but we went up in the number of specimens, so we increased the number of actual animals that we had,” Benner continued. “We upgraded all the filtration, lighting, added floor-to-ceiling viewing to many exhibits, a hands-on touch tank experience, as well as upgrades to the lobby to make it more pleasing.”
Benner said the aquarium also plans to debut five new exhibits sometime early this summer, which are set to highlight marine invertebrates and smaller, more colorful marine fish.
From the chance to engage in aquarium-themed crafts at Saturday’s celebratory event to participating in octopus enrichment in the aquarium’s touch tank — the event has a lot in store for guests to experience.
“We’re also going to be doing some pop-up behind the scenes opportunities throughout the day,” explained Jennifer Brassil, the director of public relations and communications events for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. “There’s really some unique opportunities for people to see how the animals are cared for.”
There will be character meet-and-greets with Ariel and Moana, she said, along with steel drum performances from the Toledo School for the Arts, and aquatic-themed origami demonstrations.
“We’re just really excited to celebrate this milestone with our visitors,” Brassil continued. “There’s been so many changes over the last 10 years. … We’re inviting everybody to come out and celebrate not only on March 29, but throughout the year.”
First Published March 23, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
