MOBILE, AL – Two days before the official opening of the world’s only maritime museum dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico, the community is invited to celebrate this grand opening by attending a GulfQuest gala appropriately titled, “The Maiden Voyage.”

“The Board of Trustees of the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico would be honored to have as many people in the community as possible join us for this historic celebration,” Board Chairman E. B. Peebles said. “The evening will begin with a christening ceremony and end with a fireworks display, but the real highlight of the evening will be the Maritime Museum itself.”

The GulfQuest Gala committee, chaired by Board member Marietta Urquhart, is expecting more than a thousand people to attend the Opening Gala, including many of the donors to the capital campaign that helped fund the museum’s 90 interactive exhibits, theaters, displays and simulators. Food and beverages will be served throughout the evening, and musical entertainment will greet guests both inside and outside the museum.

Other committee members include Mike Beasley, Sage Bolt, Diana Brewer, Anne Blake Brooks, Mollie Buffkin, Rebecca Byrne, Matthew Capps, Laura Davison, Stacy Hamilton, Carol Hunter, Genie Inge, Sydney Raine, Ginny Russell, Mike Saxon, Teresa McLean Smith, Tony Zodrow, and the Honorable Sandy Stimpson.

The Maiden Voyage: A GulfQuest Gala begins at 6 p.m. with a reception. The christening ceremony and recognition of the major donors, the Board of Trustees and Mobile Mayors Mike Dow, Sam Jones and Sandy Stimpson will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The museum will open for event attendees immediately following the ceremony. Tickets to The Maiden Voyage are $150 per person and $250 per couple, and can be purchased online at www.gulfquest.org/gala, or by calling 251-202-6308.

“Beyond its focus on the Gulf of Mexico, GulfQuest is unique among maritime museums in that it features interactive exhibits, simulators and theaters, complemented by artifacts and memorabilia,” Tony Zodrow, GulfQuest's Executive Director said. “We have taken extra measures, every step of the way, to design an immersive and fun experience for our visitors. The exhibits are both entertaining and educational, and will truly encourage visitors to explore every maritime aspect of the Gulf of Mexico.”

In addition, GulfQuest will offer a wide range of traveling exhibitions, plus programs on weekends, holidays and summers. School field trips and weekend camp-ins will also become regular fixtures in the museum experience.