The Blue Whale Visitor Center Opens May 30
With a full day of family fun
The weekend of May 30 is shaping up to be busy, busy, busy! Especially if you’re excited about all things Route 66. We plan to watch the record-breaking Capital Cruise on Saturday morning (May 30), and possibly swing by the Capital Cruise tailgate at some point. But beyond that, the Blue Whale is also having a big day, with the opening of its new Visitor Center!
Since we will probably not make it out to the Blue Whale for all of the opening day festivities, we started off our Memorial Day with a drive out to Catoosa to get a sneak peek. While we couldn’t go inside — and they were still very much in the process of setting up the gift shop — it looks like a really nice addition to the attraction. Plus, the spacious, new parking lot was much appreciated! The indoor bathrooms will be nice as well.
According to travelok.com, the new Visitor Center is 4,000 square feet and will house a gift shop, historical photos/artwork, concession area and meeting/event space. Click here to see a video from the City of Catoosa’s Facebook page. And drive by at night to see the neon sign all lit up!
Grand Opening Schedule, May 30
Catoosa is going all out to celebrate the new Visitor Center on May 30. Follow their Facebook event page for updates: facebook.com/events/962826356403661
- 8 a.m. – Blue Whale 5K and Fun Run
- 12p.m. – Vendor Market Opens
- 2 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting and Remarks
- 4:30-8:00 p.m. – Live Music
- 8:30 p.m. – Firework Grand Finale
Do you have some special memories from the Blue Whale? When we visited Saturday, a man was reminiscing about swimming in the pond back in the ’70s. And I reminded Joss that he saw the Blue Whale before I ever did, because his grandparents took him while I was working or something. I didn’t see it till a few years later!
