LA JOLLA -- At the 12th annual “Haunted Birch Aquarium: Shipwrecked!,” the entire family can enjoy spooky science activities, explore a “wreckage” for sunken treasures, get up-close-and-personal with numerous mysterious fish species and “Boo-gie down” with live music from the zydeco band Billy Lee & the Swamp Critters.            

The Halloween-theme event -- scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27 at Birch Aquarium, at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego -- offers participants a fun and informal atmosphere in which to learn about ocean science.
             
The event is open to all ages: Children 2 and younger are free, admission for aquarium members is $15, prepaid admission for nonmembers is $17 and general admission at the door is $19. All children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a paid adult.
             
Participants are invited to come “dressed to impress” in Halloween costumes and compete for prizes.            

Birch Aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way, and three-hour courtesy parking is available. For more information or to RSVP, call (858) 534-3474 or visit aquarium.ucsd.edu.