As school comes to an end and summer kicks off, parents are looking for ways to keep their kids entertained.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. As we continue to live through a global pandemic, people have lost loved ones, their jobs and even their homes. As a way to benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, SeaQuest will be running a canned food drive through from Nov. 1-20. During last year’s drive, SeaQuest gathered more than 1,600 pounds of non-perishable food items.

They’re both harness-trained, although Ross is a little more used to it than Chandler, DeMay said. “Tegus are super intelligent animals,” Songer said. Kon Kon, a kookaburraKon Kon (Photo provided by SeaQuest)This 3-year-old male is known for his loud laughs, which the SeaQuest staff adores. They mainly call out to mark their territory, but Kon Kon will do it if he’s excited, too. Songer said Kon Kon will even do a special call when he’s accepting people into his territory, which they love hearing throughout the day.

If youre a parent and youre still stumped on where to take your kids, keep in mind that SeaQuest remains open. However, there are a number of educational opportunities still up for grabs -- including field trips, which can be taken in-person or virtually, if youre still feeling safer at home. As mentioned, SeaQuest can host virtual field trips, as well. SeaQuest hosts trips for pre-schoolers, elementary school kids and teenagers -- all the way up through adult day care centers. SeaQuest hosts birthday parties, as well as field trips.

LYNCHBURG, Va. SeaQuest in Lynchburg is opening its doors for the first time since mid-March. For Gideon, hes missing the interaction with the guests and the public that normally come through, said Shannon Jeirles, the general manager at SeaQuest Lynchburg. All the animals at SeaQuest were used to daily interaction until COVID-19 kept visitors out. They are sporadic and it gives them a different way to play with the water, Jeirles said. So right now what our guests will get is a walkthrough experience, much like a regular aquarium, Jeirles said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - SeaQuest, an exhibit that features animals from around the world, finally opened to the public Friday. On Friday, families lined up by the dozens at Lynchburg's River Ridge Mall to see what SeaQuest is all about. They're seen by a veterinarian on a regular basis," Shannon Jeirles, the general manager of SeaQuest Lynchburg, said. There was no natural light for the animals," Russell said. No, no, I've made up my mind about this sort of place," Russell said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - SeaQuest opens this week and some very important people in Lynchburg are getting a first look inside the live action exhibit. On Tuesday, 10 News got a first look inside SeaQuest and met all the animals. So it's usually something that's usually in larger markets, said Jerry Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University. City leaders, business owners and other officials throughout the city were welcomed by a 13-foot-long snake, a sloth, parakeets and exotic cats. SeaQuest opens Friday morning.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - After some delays, SeaQuest has announced when it will open in Lynchburg's River Ridge Mall. Mark your calendar for Friday, Oct. 18, when you'll be able to see 1,200 animals from five different continents. If you'd like to be a member, SeaQuest is extending its 50% off membership sale until Oct. 15. "We are very excited to open our doors right here in Lynchburg," said SeaQuest Lynchburg general manager Shannon Jeirles. While there's been excitement around the aquarium's coming to Lynchburg, PETA has been adamantly against SeaQuest's opening.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - PETA is continuing its efforts to shut down SeaQuest, an aquarium which is planning to open this fall in Lynchburg's River Ridge Mall. On Thursday morning, the organization filed a request with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to cancel the Animal Welfare Act exhibitor license held by SeaQuest. PETA's letter claims that SeaQuest has violated federal, state and local laws pertaining to cruelty, transportation, ownership, neglect or welfare of animals, which gives the USDA the right to revoke the license. State officials suspended the location's state permit after a series of state law and permit violations. "PETA is calling on the USDA to yank this cruel petting zoo's license," said PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Michelle Crheo, of Amherst, and her daughter Carter can't wait for SeaQuest to open. But once they do arrive, SeaQuest officials say families will be immersed with 1,500 different animals from five different continents. "I hope they'll come. I hope they'll come and see and I'll tell you why. When someone comes here, they're going to see that these animals are happy, that they're healthy," Covino said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - It's taking a bit longer than expected to build an aquarium in the River Ridge Mall. When SeaQuest announced it was coming to Lynchburg in March, the plan was for it to open in late summer. Katie Farris, the mall's marketing manager, says that the goal now is for the aquarium to open in September. SeaQuest will bring reptiles, tropical birds, eels, stingrays, otters and more. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.