Belle Isle Aquarium hosts Weathervane Design Competition

Just last week we here at MT brought you a short history on Belle Isle Aquarium. It'll turn 110 years old this year, which is a pretty big deal. When it was built, it was among the six largest aquariums in the country and before it was closed in 2005 it was the longest continuously operating aquarium in the United States and the only one in Michigan. 

The aquarium is open on Saturdays and Sundays and is run entirely by volunteers. Its electric eel exhibit is popular, much as it was when it first opened in 1904.

On Aug. 16, a party will be held to commemorate the milestone birthday. 

In accordance with that celebration, the Belle Isle Conservancy is hosting a weathervane design competition. The contest, which opened on Aug. 1, invites young adults across the metro area to design a weathervane that will become a permanent fixture of the aquarium. 

The contest ends at midnight on Friday, Aug. 24 and the winner will be determined based on the design's merit and feasibility by a five-person panel. The winner will be notified by Sept. 12 and an official announcement will be made at a private party held at the aquarium on Sept. 19. 

The winning design will be added to the building's cupola, forever becoming part of the iconic structure. 

You can see the rules here.

You can see the application form here.