Client News

White River State Park Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Gleaners MLK, Jr. Day Partnership

Visitors to once again receive free admission to Park attractions in exchange for canned food

INDIANAPOLIS – For the 10th year in a row, visitors to White River State Park attractions will receive free admission and free parking on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18, with a canned good donation (one can per person, per attraction). 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the Park and Gleaners Food Bank – the recipient of more than 150,000 pounds of non-perishable, canned food donations over the years.

“This event is very important for us each year, as these donations help us restock our shelves after the holidays,” said Pamela Altmeyer, president and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Families are in need all year round, and we’re so thankful for White River State Park’s continued support.”

Special activities will take place all throughout the day at the six major attractions that make up White River State Park: Eiteljorg Museum, IMAX® Theater, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions and Victory Field.

“We are honored to celebrate this 10th anniversary of our partnership with Gleaners on such an important holiday,” said Bob Whitt, executive director of White River State Park. “For ten years now, our visitors have risen to the occasion in filling the donation bins to benefit those less fortunate while enjoying plenty of entertainment throughout the day.”

The following activities at Park attractions will be taking place on MLK Day:

Indianapolis Zoo: Visitors can enjoy a dolphin show at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., walk the grounds (weather permitting) and then warm up by visiting the meerkats in the Deserts building and petting the sharks in the Oceans building.
IMAX Theater: Take a trip below sea level for free at either the 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. showing of Under the Sea 3D or explore the great frontier at either the 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. showing of Lewis and Clark.
Victory Field: Come by the home of the Indianapolis Indians between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and check out the Negro League Memorabilia display thanks to JJ Collectibles. Plus Rowdie, the Indians’ mascot, will stop by for autographs, too.
NCAA Hall of Champions: Join student-athletes from Butler University and IUPUI and former NCAA student-athletes who will read from their favorite books, tell their stories and share their experiences, sign autographs and take photos. Go toe-to-toe with the student-athletes in skill contests in the gym and enter a raffle to win NCAA merchandise. Complimentary hot chocolate will be served.
Indiana State Museum: The museum will showcase films on the big screen in its Auditorium and Legacy Theatre focused on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his “I Had A Dream” speech; plus enjoy Roshanda Hardin who returns for the 3rd year with her band of poetry and music (drumming); also enjoy Civil War Soldier Sgt. Ransom Warfield, as well as Museum Minute carts and demonstrations throughout the galleries.
Eiteljorg Museum: Visitors can immerse themselves in the Native American and Western cultures with the museum’s many exhibits.

The Park will also offer complimentary parking on MLK Day. Visitors may park in the underground garage located off Washington Street in front of the Indiana State Museum, in the parking lots at the Indianapolis Zoo and Victory Field, and in the lot across from Victory Field next to the Visitor’s Center.

For more information about White River State Park, visit www.inwhiteriver.org.

# # #

White River State Park is the center of Indianapolis culture, offering a unique experience with a variety of educational and recreational attractions. The Park is home to several venues, providing entertainment for a wide range of audiences, including the Indianapolis Zoo, Indiana State Museum, IMAX® Theater, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, NCAA Hall of Champions, Victory Field and the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial. To learn more about the Park and its many happenings, visit www.inwhiteriver.org.