CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium began celebrating its 50th anniversary on Monday with extended hours, family fun activities and special moments with the resident non-releasable animals.

What You Need To Know

  • Group of volunteers started CMA in 1972

  • CMA bought wastewater treatment plant from Clearwater for $1 in 1978

  • In 2020, CMA opened an $80M expansion

  • Jubilee celebration runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Jan. 7

"All of those festivities are included with general admission," said Lindsay Roland, CMA conservation education operations manager. "We have theater shows, bubble performers, magicians, a sunset dance party and a parade."  

A group of volunteers who were passionate about marine life started CMA back in 1972, as a science learning center, according to Roland. About six years later, CMA had its first major expansion when it purchased a former wastewater treatment plant from the city of Clearwater for $1.

The facility housed CMA's first well-known rescued dolphin named Sunset Sam. It would later be home to CMA's most famous resident, Winter the dolphin, in 2005. Winter inspired disabled children, wounded soldiers and had two movies made about her life before she passed away from natural causes last year.

A group of volunteers who were passionate about marine life started CMA back in 1972. (Josh Rojas/Spectrum Bay News 9)

In 2020, CMA had its second major expansion open, an $80 million dolphin complex and visitor center. It's home to Hope, currently the most famous dolphin that was featured in the Winter movie sequel, and Nicholas, who's a crowd favorite and named after St. Nicholas because he was rescued on Christmas Eve. 

Roland said CMA wants to continue to grow their research and conservation footprint globally and add a manatee rehabilitation facility.

In 2020, CMA had its second major expansion open, an $80 million dolphin complex and visitor center. (Josh Rojas/Spectrum Bay News 9)

"We also hope to increase and expand our current facilities and use groundbreaking innovative technology to continue to support the biological and physiological needs of our rescued resident animals," she said. "Also, to increase our sustainability efforts."​

The jubilee celebration runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Jan. 7.