A model lighthouse made by three friends from Ansonia and devoted to the recent World Series is helping to light the way for visitors to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk as part of the Aquarium’s 12th annual “Festival of Lighthouses Contest.”
“Play Ball” was made by Joey Schumacher, a senior at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School, with help from brothers Rob and Brian Koslowski. It’s one of 22 creative lighthouses in the holiday display, which will be open daily from Nov. 16 through Jan. 20, 2014.
The exhibit is free with Aquarium admission. Visitors can follow these homemade beacons through the galleries and then cast a vote for their favorite. The lighthouse with the most votes wins $1,500.
The lighthouses were built by local artists looking for a challenge, by friends and families who wanted to work together on a fun project, and by students fulfilling an assignment.
“The best gifts are those gifts that are unexpected yet show great thought,” said Judith Bacal, the Aquarium’s director of exhibits. “The ‘Lighthouse Contest’ is like a gift for us each year, because the designs are always so unexpected and the finished works show such thought and craftsmanship.”
Rules are kept to a minimum to allow for maximum creativity. Lighthouses must be 3 to 6 feet tall and have a working light, and may not include animal remains (such as shells). Beyond that, it’s up to the creators’ imaginations.
Schumacher’s lighthouse rises up from the pitching mound of a baseball stadium and is reminiscent of a baseball bat. Atop it is a large light that looks like an oversized baseball. On the stadium’s outfield fence are the logos of the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and the 2013 World Series.
Other entries this year include: a lighthouse made from Twinkies, Ho-Hos and other Hostess snack cakes; a gingerbread lighthouse; one made of tin; one made of green plastic soda bottles; a lighthouse that celebrates the children’s board game Candy Land; and one that consists of cake and the icing-like material called fondant.
Four entries were built by students at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, for their “Senior Introduction to Engineering” class.
Entries are coming from residents of cities close to the Aquarium – Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport – but also from as far as Ansonia and Shelton, as well as Hartsdale and Wappingers Falls in New York.
Besides the $1,500 top award, other prizes are: $750 for second place, $375 for third; $300 for fourth; $225 for fifth; and $150 for sixth. Winners will be announced at an evening reception on Jan. 23.
The 2013 “Festival of Lighthouses Contest” is free with Maritime Aquarium general admission, which is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for youths (13 – 17) & seniors (65+), and $12.95 for children ages 3 – 12.
For more details about Maritime Aquarium exhibits, IMAX movies and programs, call (203) 852‑0700 or go online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.
