Executive Director Scott Stroh recently announced a 21 percent increase in attendance at Roanoke Island Festival Park for 2007, completing the year with just under 150,000 visitors.
"I am thrilled with our growth and very proud of our staff's tremendous work. Our mission is to involve residents and visitors of all ages in a creative and stimulating exploration of Roanoke Island's historical, cultural, and natural resources and being able to successfully realize this goal with ever increasing numbers of guests is very rewarding for all of us at the Park," said Stroh.
With the commencement of the Exhibit Enhancement Project, 2008 will be another year of growth for the Park. This project includes the creation of an outdoor, interactive American Indian Town and Cultural Educational Center, the re-design of the Park's Visitor Center and placement of site-wide way-finding signage, and the expansion of exhibits in the Roanoke Adventure Museum.
In addition, the State of NC has recently awarded $1 million in improvements to the Outdoor Pavilion. Work will include raising and extending the stage, raising the existing roof, lighting enhancements, updating dressing rooms and restrooms and more. "We are very fortunate to have received significant funds in support of the Park's enhancement and growth. The projects currently underway will dramatically improve the guest experience at the Park and better enable us to meet important needs in our community," said Stroh.
Roanoke Island Festival Park is an interactive family attraction that celebrates the first English settlement in America. The centerpiece of the 25-acre island park is Elizabeth II, a representation of one of seven English ships from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585.
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