Ripley's Believe It or Not! Reopens in Time for Mardi Gras

NEW ORLEANS – (Feb 6, 2006) – The oddest place in New Orleans is ready for business once again!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, located at 620 Decatur Street in the French Quarter, will begin welcoming guests on February 11 with a select schedule throughout the month and will be open daily during Mardi Gras, February 17 – 28.

The unique and bizarre collection in the museum escaped damage from the hurricane, thanks to the quick action of museum employees who moved the one-of-a-kind artifacts to upper floors before Katrina blew through the city. Museum owners have spent five months repairing the building and reinstalling the exhibits.

“It is really miraculous that we did not lose any of our collection,’’ said general manager Antoinette de Alteriis. “We are thankful that we’re able to reopen and help bring this city back to life with a late-night attraction that’s fun for all ages. This year Mardi Gras will have more meaning than ever and it’s a symbol of the resiliency of the city. We’re just happy to play a small part in that.”

Beginning February 11, the museum will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m. and from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays. Open Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24 from 6 to 10 p.m., the museum will then remain open for the duration of Mardi Gras, February 25 – 28, from noon to 10 p.m. In March the museum will be open on weekends, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. www.ripleysneworleans.com

Exhibits feature, along with other artifacts that you’ll find no where else, the Oswald-Kennedy assassination car, which sold for a mere $10 years later, a Chinese dragon ship carved from more than 1,000 pounds of solid jade, and a model of the London Tower Bridge made from more than 264,000 matchsticks.

About Ripley Entertainment

Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (www.ripleys.com) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 12 million guests. In addition to its 50-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated comic strip.

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For more information, contact:

Antoinette de Alteriis, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! New Orleans, (504) 586-1236 Antoinette@ripleysneworleans.com

Lauren Schneider, YPB&R Public Relations, (407) 838-1802, Lauren_Schneider@ypbr.com