Albany Herald

ALBANY, Ga. -- Nothing says "I love you" quite like a box of chocolates, fresh cut roses ... and a snapping turtle.

At least that's what the folks at the Flint RiverQuarium are hoping.

Saturday, both they and another Albany cultural attraction -- Thronateeska Heritage Museum -- will be hosting a series of promotions aimed at enticing couples and families to come downtown.

In their "Sweetheart deal" promotion, the attractions are joining together to offer a buy-one, get-one joint ticket. For $17.50, the ticket covers visits to both the RiverQuarium and Thronateeska, plus the purchaser gets a second free joint ticket for a sweetheart.

Tickets include admission to the Flint RiverQuarium, a movie at the Imagination Theater, admission to Thronateeska and a planetarium show at the Wetherbee Planetarium.

For a little extra romance, the special couple's ticket will include a sweet treat and commemorative photo at the RiverQuarium and a flower for each woman at Thronateeska, officials say.

At 2:30 p.m., RiverQuarium officials will unveil their Aquadopt wall of commemorative wall tiles, which feature painted tiles depicting RiverQuarium animals. The initial display will feature 200 hand-painted tiles, which can be purchased for $25 each. The proceeds will go to help support the ongoing needs for the care and feeding of the animals.

At 3:30 p.m., another Turtle Race qualifier will be held out at the facility's fountain, where 2,500 plastic turtles will be let loose. The turtles, which can be adopted for a fee, will race down the fountain.

The winner will be given a $500 prize and will be automatically entered into the big race during the March Mardi Gras weekend downtown.