Help Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration celebrate African Penguin Day on Friday, September 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with special presentations, penguin painting demonstrations and a penguin race! The celebration is in recognition of African Penguin Day on September 26 in South Africa, where aquarium staff members frequently travel to help field researchers in various species conservation efforts.

The day begins at 11 a.m. on the main exhibit floor, where a penguin trainer will bring a feathered friend and talk about conservation of the species.

At noon, let the races begin! Six penguins will race to the finish line to encourage guests to participate in the 3rd Annual Penguin Run/Walkon October 17. Purchase a voucher to cast your vote for which penguin will win. After the race, a name will be pulled from the winning penguin’s entries, and that lucky person will receive a Penguin Encounter.

Proceeds will go toward the aquarium’s many penguin conservation efforts here and around the world. Over the last eight years, the world’s African penguin population has decreased by 42 percent. The penguins at the aquarium play an integral role in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan, and the aquarium staff’s work with them is helping researchers better understand penguins in the wild.

At 1:15 p.m., watch a special penguin feeding and presentation at the Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Exhibit, followed by a penguin painting demonstration at 2:30 p.m., where you can watch the birds create one-of-a-kind pieces of work with their feet. The artwork will be awarded to top fundraisers and finishers in the Penguin Run/Walk. The event is free with aquarium admission.