Media Contact: Jordan Braddock
jordan.braddock@hartsvillesc.gov
843.917.0602
For Immediate Release – June 18, 2018
Hartsville SC – Surrounded by City of Hartsville City Council members, Neptune Island staff and other special guests, Seymour and Sandy, Neptune Island’s official loggerhead sea turtle mascots, cut the ribbon to officially open Neptune Island Waterpark to the public on Monday, June 18, 2018. Immediately following the ceremony, the new waterpark launched its first day of operation and began welcoming guests to the “undiscovered island” at 10 a.m.
The ribbon cutting is a momentous occasion for the City of Hartsville as it symbolizes the completion of its expansion of the existing Piratesville Splash Pad, which opened in July 2013. Since its opening, the splash pad has averaged over 20,000 attendees per season. For four seasons, the pirate-themed splash pad has offered children under six years of age a place to cool off with its spray cannons, geysers, slides, and dump buckets, but does not currently feature attractions for the entire family to enjoy. Neptune Island will now include the Piratesville Splash Pad as an added feature at its new facility. The new waterpark complex boasts a wide array of features for guests of all ages; including the Endless Abyss, a quarter-mile long lazy river, the Castaway Bay wave pool, two Twin Sirens tube slides, the Neptune’s Revenge speed body slide, and the three Trident Racers mat racing slides. Neptune Island can host a maximum capacity of 1,300 guests—more than eight times the capacity of the splash pad.
Cabana rentals, party pavilions, snack stands, food trucks, and a beer garden will make the new water park a regional destination for visitors and residents alike. “Neptune Island is more than just a new recreational facility for our residents in Hartsville,” said City Manager Natalie Zeigler, “it has created over 130 seasonal job opportunities and is forecasted to attract over 90,000 visitors each year to Hartsville. We have seen increased tourism over the last several years with the addition of two downtown hotels as well as new restaurants and boutiques. We will have even more growth with today’s opening of the Neptune Island Waterpark and the upcoming opening of EdVenture Children’s Museum.”
Neptune Island Waterpark will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, June 23, 2018 during its “Grand Opening Celebration” event. Visitors to Neptune Island on June 23rd will enjoy live entertainment from Pantasia Steel Drum band along with visits with pirates, mermaids and other free children’s entertainment as part of their admission to the waterpark. The event will be an all day celebration during Neptune Island’s normal hours of operation.
Neptune Island Waterpark is located at 1109 Fourteenth Street in Hartsville and is open to the public Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Daily admission starts at $15.99 for guests under 48 inches tall with admission for guests 48 inches and over being $17.99. Guests ages two and under are admitted for free with a reusable Neptune Island swim diaper, a one-time purchase of $9.99. Season passes for the park are only $54.99 and include unlimited summer visits along with other perks such as three free daily admission tickets and discounts at the park. For more information about Neptune Island, please visit neptuneisland.com or follow Neptune Island on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat.
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A fact sheet, map of the park, photos, and more are available in the press packet here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OSluOMA4Cu6gKku8HLa6lgWQoc0N7tlm?usp=sharing