Ripleys Believe It or Not

With Extreme Sleepover

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A night on the town will never be the same for participants in Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square’s new Extreme Sleepover.

This outrageously unique experience has captivated families, school groups and scout groups from across the country who are determined to spend a wild night in the Big Apple.

Participants at Ripley’s Extreme Sleepover can take this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the hundreds of incredible artifacts and dozens of wildly fun interactive elements contained within the twenty themed galleries of the iconic Times Square attraction.

After a fun dinner and flashlight scavenger hunt, Ripley’s Extreme Sleepover participants rest comfortably in the shadow of a baseball uniform worn by Babe Ruth. Real Egyptian mummies are prepared to shoo away any monsters in the closet and guests are relieved to know that shrunken heads don’t snore.

The action packed evening gives every participant an attempt in New York’s only laser race - a timed challenge of flexibility, agility and speed through a high tech laser maze. Of course, the memories and photos from your evening are yours to keep, but Ripley’s also provides each person with a souvenir t-shirt and limited edition patch.

Like the world’s smallest car, these programs have a limited capacity and are selling out fast! Be sure to call today to schedule your visit.

Click here for more information - or download our PDF flyer.

Chew On This

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square to Display 12 Mile Long Gum Wrapper Chain

Ripley’s president to sign link number 3,000,000

Here’s something to chew on:

Gary Duschl has a gum wrapper chain that stretches for 12 miles.
·         That’s 42 times the height of the Empire State Building.
·         It’s as long as 210 football fields.
·         It’s twice as long as the height of Mount Everest.
·         It would take 5 hours to walk the length of the chain.
·         It would take 12 minutes to drive its length in a car at 60 mph.
·         If full, all the wrappers would contain 5 tons of gum.
·         He has spent more than 24,000 hours and 45 years on this feat.

Oh, did we mention it’s a chain of gum wrappers?

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square will hold a media availability on Wednesday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. to mark a major milestone in Duschl’s chain of love. Jim Pattison Jr., President of Ripley Entertainment, will sign the three-millionth link in the chain. The full gum wrapper chain – all 12 miles of it - will be on display.

“This is a remarkable feat and a true Believe It or Not!” said Pattison. “The amount of effort and attention to detail that has gone into this is amazing.” Visitors to the Ripley’s Times Square Odditorium can check out Duschl’s chain for themselves on Wednesday, March 10. Duschl will hold chain-making demonstrations for the public from 1-5 p.m.
Chance to Become Part of Ripley History

The public can be a part of this historic event.

Everyone is welcome to visit the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square Odditorium from Wednesday, March 10 through Sunday, March 14 and sign a gum wrapper that will be sent to Duschl who will use it as part of his chain.

Ripley’s visitors who bring in 5 gum wrappers of any sort will get a $5 discount off the price of admission ($4 off for children) from Wednesday, March 10 through Sunday, March 14.

Duschl, from Virginia, started creating the record-breaking chain a few years ago - when LBJ was President, TV was mostly in black and white and a band named the Beatles was gaining in popularity. He started in 1965.

Duschl was in ninth grade science class when he saw kids making gum wrapper chains. He made his first link that day and one link led to another. He wanted to make the longest chain in the class, then the longest in the school, then the longest in town and he never gave up. He stuck with it – for the next 45 years.

There are 1,500,000 gum wrappers in the chain and all are Wrigley’s brand. Duschl doesn’t chew much gum; he’s really in it for the wrappers.

“It’s something that I can do in the comfort of my home. I find it therapeutic to sit down and weave a chain the same way someone would sit down and knit something,” Duschl said.

He knows exactly where he wants to go with his chain - another 14 miles, straight ahead. That would make it the length of a marathon at 26.2 miles, give or take a few hundred wrappers. That’s probably another 15 years away, when he’ll be in his mid-70s.

To view downloadable high-resolution images of Gary Duschl and his gum wrapper chain, go to http://www.ripleysnewsroom.com

For more on Gary Duschl, go to www.gumwrapper.com

Buy Tickets HERE

100 Feet of Sharp, Solid Steel Swords

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

More than 25 sword swallowers will be performing shows at more than a dozen Ripley Believe It or Not! Odditoriums worldwide at 2:27 p.m. on February 27, in celebration of the Fourth Annual World Sword Swallowers Day.

More than 100 feet of solid steel is set to go down the hatch - hopefully without a scratch!

World Sword Swallowers Day was founded by the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) and is co-sponsored by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! locations around the world.

"We established World Sword Swallower’s Day to raise awareness of the medical contributions sword swallowers have made to the fields of medicine and science, to honor veteran performers, to raise funds for esophageal cancer research and the Injured Sword Swallower’s Relief Fund (with donations matched by Ripley’s), and to correct myths by putting on sword swallowing demonstrations for the public and media around the world.”

Ripley's is a proud sponsor “Because it’s great entertainment,” said Tim O’Brien, VP of Communications for Ripley Entertainment Inc. “Sword swallowers and Ripley go way back to the very first Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, set up at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. There, three performers, two of whom were ladies, mesmerized the huge crowds. Ripley’s has been home to sword swallowers around the world ever since.”

Sword swallowers will be performing at more than a dozen Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, including: New York City; Orlando and St. Augustine in Florida; Hollywood, Calif.; Niagara Falls, Can.; Ocean City, Md.; Atlantic City, N.J.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; and G Branson, Mo.; and Grand Prairie, Texas.

Highlights at Believe It or Not! locations during the day will include:

Red Stewart will attempt to swallow a record 52 swords at one time in Atlantic City.
Dai Andrews will attempt to swallow a very dangerous 120-degree curved Sword at Ocean City.
Dan Meyer will swallow hedge clippers in Grand Prairie, Texas
Erik Kloeker, the youngest professional sword swallower in the world will perform in Gatlinburg.
Travis Fessler will swallow a sword with his mouth full of live Madagascar cockroaches in Gatlinburg;
George The Giant, the world’s tallest sword swallower, will attempt to swallow a giant 33-inch long sword in Hollywood.

“It’s a huge honor for us to carry on the great tradition of sword swallowers who have performed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums over the years!” Meyer explains. “In light of this, SSAI is sending out an open invitation to all sword swallowers around the world to contact us and join us in swallowing swords at Ripley’s Believe It or Not museums and other locations on the 27th!"

Performances are scheduled to take place on 2/27/10 at 2:27:10 p.m. local time, unless noted.

About Sword Swallowing:
The art of sword swallowing began more than 4,000 years ago in India, and requires the practitioner to use mind-over-matter techniques to control the body and repress natural reflexes to insert solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach. With the demise of the traveling circus sideshow over the past several decades, there are currently less than a few dozen full-time professional sword swallowers actively performing the deadly art around the world today.

Medical Facts and Trivia about Sword Swallowing:
These facts help explain why there are currently less than a few dozen full-time professional sword swallowers left performing around the world today!

Sword Swallowing is a 4,000 year old art that originated in India around 2,000 BC.
Sword swallowers use mind-over-matter techniques to repress the natural gag reflex in the back of the mouth, the peristalsis reflex in the throat, and the retch reflex in the stomach to "swallow" solid steel sword blades from 15-30 inches in length.
Sword swallowing can take from two to seven years to learn, and even after years of practice, some people never learn to master it.
The longest sword swallowed on record was 33 inches long swallowed by George the Giant.
The most swords swallowed at once was 47 swords swallowed by Red Stuart in 2008.
SSAI reports that there are on average between four and six serious sword swallowing related injuries reported around the world each year that require medical attention and hospitalization, with dozens more that go unreported each year.
Treatment of sword swallowing injuries can cost from $25,000-$75,000 per injury.

To purchase tickets to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square and save 15 percent, click here

Come Share Your Love

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley's Open All President's Weekend Until Midnight.

Looking to make your sweetie say “Wow” on Valentine’s Day? You can make that happen with a visit to New York ’s most astonishing attraction, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square . From one of only 11 Iron Maiden’s in existence to a pair of African fertility statues to artifacts that allowed cultures to claim members of the opposite sex as their own, an adventure through Ripley’s will certainly make your date wonder: “What’s he/she thinking about?”

Don’t worry if you don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day – Ripley’s Times Square has something for everyone and will be open until midnight every day during the mid-Winter break. It’s President’s Day every day at Ripley’s with amazing exhibits like a portrait of President Obama made out of over 12,600 bubble gum balls and a tribute to President Lincoln himself with a presidential collection that will blow your mind.

To save 15 percent on tickets, click here to purchase on line – and skip the line during a very busy week!

What Would You Do...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

An outrageous, fun and unmistakably unique competition is taking place Valentine’s Day weekend at New York’s most extreme and fascinating attraction – Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square.

On Friday, February 12, couples can demonstrate their love through a series of uncanny, humorous and, perhaps, bizarre tasks while racing through the twenty-plus themed galleries at Ripley’s showcase location in Times Square. Tasks range from peculiar photo ops, acts of courage to challenges of digestive fortitude like consuming a stomach-churning, yet edible, curiosity. The couple to complete all of their tasks and make it to the finish line with the best time gets married, on the spot, making them the first couple to ever be married in this one-of-a-kind, sensational attraction.

“We’ll see what couples are willing to show that they’ll do just about anything for love. At a
place like Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square, your mother-in-law may be the most
normal person at the ceremony and we’re okay with that!”, says Stephen Ekstrom, Director of Sales and Marketing, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square. “Ripley’s Remarkable Race to the Altar is guaranteed to be unlike anything New York has ever seen before.”

Two dozen shrunken human heads, a couple of two-headed creatures and a collection of certified freaks will be on hand to witness the ceremony. The happily married, yet somewhat questionable, couple winning the race will also receive an amazing prize package containing Ripley’s souvenirs, our latest book and some seriously bizarre bragging rights.

Intrigued couples are encouraged to fill out a Race to the Altar application - PDF Application.

All applications must be received by February 2, 2010! Participation is limited.

For curious locals, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is also celebrating the spirit of love by giving away special edible treats to the first 250 couples to visit the famed Times Square attraction on February 13th & 14th.

As the kissing hissing cockroaches may say, feel free to bug us for more info.

Download application PDF Application.

To purchase tickets to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square and save 15 percent, click here.

Winter Hours

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is open 365 days a year!

SPECIAL WINTER HOURS
January - March 22nd

Sunday - Wednesday: 9am - 11pm
(last ticket sold at 10pm)

Thursday - Saturday: 9am - 1am
(last ticket sold at midnight)

Extended Hours for the following dates -
Sunday, January 17th: 9am - 1am (last ticket sold at midnight)
Sunday, Februrary 14th - Wednesday, February 17th: 9am - 1am (last ticket sold at midnight)

*Hours are subject to change. Call our helpful staff 212-398-3133 to verify hours.

To purchase tickets and save 15 percent, click here.

About Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley's Believe It or Not! that still runs daily in 200 newspapers in 42 countries. There are now 30 Ripley's Believe It or Not!® odditoriums (including NYC) in operation. The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe - exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awestruck.

Has NEW MOON got you fixated on Vampires?

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

AUTHENTIC VAMPIRE KILLING KIT ON DISPLAY
at RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! TIMES SQUARE

New Yorkers and New York visitors fear not! With the number one movie in America, NEW MOON, raising awareness about vampires on the prowl, your guide to safety is on display right in the heart of Times Square at Ripley’s Believe it or Not!

New York’s most unusual and exciting attraction has an authentic vampire killing kit that was actually sold to superstitious travelers in Transylvania. The kit, which is over 150 years old and made in 1840, includes everything needed when face-to-face with a vampire. The kit is portable and includes an ivory cross, gun with silver bullets, a wooden stake, holy water and, of course, garlic.

“I’m still undecided on whether vampires are actually out there,” says Michael Hirsch, General Manager of Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square. “I can tell you that I do feel a little bit safer knowing what’s needed just in case I come across one of these fearsome creatures.”

Check out the AOL Video on Ripley's Vampire Killing Kit.

To learn how to protect yourself and see over 500 artifacts from all over the world, click here to purchase tickets and save 15%!

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square
Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 13 million guests visit its 60-plus attractions operating in 12 countries annually. The Orlando-based company also has divisions that oversee publishing, licensing and broadcast operations. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

Think YOUR Family is Weird?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

THINK YOUR FAMILY IS WEIRD?

Come to Ripley’s Believe it or Not! open every day until 1:00 a.m. during Thanksgiving weekend so you can see what weird really is!

Everyone thinks that Thanksgiving Day at their household is the strangest collection of people in the world. From the uncle in the corner whose drooling begins before dessert, to the cousins who have more turkey on their face than inside their mouth, Thanksgiving brings together family members that make us shake our head.

Here at Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, we make your holiday dinner look tame. From the world’s largest collection of real human shrunken heads to our world famous Black Hole to bizarre animals like a two-headed calf and albino giraffe, you will take a journey into the truly bizarre and unusual that will make you thankful for your family.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square is open all Thanksgiving weekend from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. (last ticket sold at midnight) so you can see what weird really means.

Purchase your tickets now and save 15% and skip the line by clicking here.

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment, entertaining more than 13 million annually at its 74 attractions in 13 countries. In addition to its 32 Believe It or Not!museums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in 42 countries. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

Monster Python Slithers into Ripley's

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

MONSTER PYTHON SLITHERS INTO RIPLEY’S TIMES SQUARE

Gatorland’s Speedbump entertains hundreds at Ripley’s Times Square

An 18-foot, 250 pound Burmese Python made an astonishing appearance at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square on Thursday, November 12, amazing hundreds of passers-by walking on 42nd Street. Speedbump, a member of Gatorland’s new python exhibit in Orlando, Fla., was joined by other reptilian friends including other snakes and a few alligators. Fortunately, the display within Ripley’s museum of the python that ate an alligator whole was not replicated.

“This is exactly the sort of thing you can expect to see on any given day at Ripley’s Times Square,” said Michael Hirsch, general manager. “Ripley’s Believe it or Not! is personified by the strange and the fascinating and today was a perfect example. Imagine strolling down 42nd Street, walking into our lobby, and being greeted by a mammoth snake.”

Visitors had the opportunity to pet and hold Speedbump, and it took a total of 12 people to hold up the snake for the photo pictured here. Speedbump was acquired by Gatorland during a recent Pet Amnesty Day held in conjunction with the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) in an effort to educate consumers about the responsibilities of exotic pet ownership.

Berlin Wall History on Display at Ripley's Times Square!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

With the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall approaching on November 9, museums around the world will have historic sections of the wall on display, including the Vatican, John F. Kennedy Library, the United Nations headquarters and 13 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museums.

Yes – Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley’s owns what is likely the largest collection of Berlin Wall sections in the world - 16 10-by-10 foot sections of the wall, most of which are on display at its museums around the world, including right here in New York City.

“We’re proud to have a true piece of history among our over 500 artifacts,” says Michael Hirsch, General Manager, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square. “Our Berlin Wall display is a perfect example of the Ripley’s Times Square experience. Not only do we offer a journey into the unusual and bizarre, a visit to our attraction also exposes the minds of children and adults to cultures and historical events from around the world.”

So how did a company famous for oddities acquire 160 feet of the Berlin Wall?

“Like most of the country, we were watching the events unfold on TV,” said Edward Meyer, VP of Exhibits for Ripley’s Believe It or Not! “A couple of people in our company had the idea that something significant was about to unfold and we should get over there as fast as possible.”

Meyer was part of a small Ripley’s team that was soon on the ground in Berlin.

Meyer said “It was one of the most emotional things I have ever experienced. To walk in and out of holes in the wall and experience something that had been impossible for nearly 30 years was truly amazing.”

As people around him stuffed chunks of the wall into suitcases, Meyer started scouting for the most interesting sections he could find and prepared to make offers to buy them.

“It was a bit of a free-for-all, because no one really owned the wall,” he said. “We received assistance from an American diplomat who shall remain nameless, and we dealt directly with the German military.”

Ripley’s was soon the proud owner of 160 feet of Berlin Wall - 16 sections that each weighed about 2 tons.

“Buying it was easy. Getting it home was the hard part,” laughed Meyer.

The sections were taken down and put on a barge and floated up the river to Hamburg and eventually placed on a shipping vessel and sent to the U.S.

Meyer won’t reveal the purchase price, but says “it cost us about 50 times more to ship the collection to the U.S. than it did to buy it.”

Today most of the sections are popular exhibits at Ripley museums around the world. Two of the sections not currently on display will eventually head back overseas to go on display at proposed Ripley museums in Bahrain and Korea.

“We were there for one of the most historic events of the 20^th century,” said Meyer. “And our collection still serves as a living history lesson today.”

Ripley museums with Berlin Wall displays include: Orlando , New York City , London, Hollywood , San Antonio, Atlantic City , Ocean City , Panama City , Williamsburg , Gatlinburg , Thailand , Mexico City, Kuwait and Cavendish (Canada).

Multimedia materials:

Click here for a video of Edward Meyer talking about what it was like to be in Berlin as the wall was coming down. Click here for a video of Meyer talking about how he bought sections of the Berlin Wall and got them home.

To view images of some of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Berlin Wall sections go to www.ripleysnewsroom.com

Media are welcome to visit their local Ripley’s museum to take pictures or video of the Berlin Wall displays, talk to people about the 20^th anniversary, etc.

Media contacts:

Michael Hirsch

Ripley’s Times Square

(212) 398-3133

michael@ripleysnewyork.com

Tim O’Brien

VP Communications, Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Office – 615-646-7465

Cell – 615-496-5949

Obrien@ripleys.com

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment, entertaining more than 13 million annually at its 74 attractions in 13 countries. In addition to its 32 Believe It or Not!museums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in 42 countries. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

Ripleys Times Square announces Yankees Fan Promotion!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Another Yankee World Series? Believe It or Not!

Ripley's Believe It or Not, Times Square, home to New York's most amazing collection of baseball artifacts, announces special Yankees fan promotion!

Young fans wearing their best Yankee gear get in FREE at Ripley's Believe It or Not, Times Square*.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square today announced a deal to root, root, root for the home team New York Yankees as they march hopefully toward a Believe it or Not! Major League record 27th World Series championship. For a limited time young Yankees fans can show their hometown pride by wearing their favorite Yankee apparel and get in free with the purchase of full-priced adult ticket at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square!

“The Yankees are bringing New York one step closer to clinching another World Series title, and no one is more excited than their hometown fans,” said Michael Hirsch, General Manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square. “Baseball is near and dear to us here at Ripley’s. Robert Ripley, a former player himself, amassed an astounding collection of baseball memorabilia throughout his life, and Ripley’s Times Square is home to some of the most amazing baseball artifacts in the world. True baseball fans will be mesmerized by our unique collection.”

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square collection of baseball relics include:

· A 1931 Wooden Novelty postcard signed during Spring Training that has 16 autographs including Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and Believe it or Not!, Claire Ruth, Babe Ruth’s wife.

· Three seats from the original Yankee Stadium from behind home plate taken in 1923.

· A movie in the theater room with a feature on The Bandits, a one-armed softball team.

· A collection of Ted Williams mementos from his 1994 induction and unveiling of the Ted Williams Hitters of Hall of Fame which includes his autograph, a 1950s Player of the Decade Baseball Heroes baseball card, inaugural cover to the opening of the museum, and more.

· During WWII, Robert Ripley was committed to fundraising. In 1939, he put together a charity softball game at Madison Square Garden that included 60 celebrities to raise money for The Boys Club of New York. Ripley stacked his own team, the Believe it or Nots, that included Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Jimmy Durante, W.C. Fields, Al Jolson, William Randolph Hearst, to name a few. In its day, the combined assets of the team members made it the richest and most valuable team ever assembled. We have on display 12 of the original uniforms worn by the team and a classic photograph of the Believe it or Nots with Babe Ruth laying in the foreground of the photo.

Fun Baseball Facts Courtesy of Ripley’s!

--Ty Cobb walked up to 30 miles a day during the off-season with lead in his shoes to maintain his lower body strength.

--In 1968, San Francisco Giants Manager Alvin Dark told reporters that NASA would "put a man on the moon before Gaylord Perry hits a home run." On July 20, 1969 Perry connected for his first ever home run - 20 minutes after Neal Armstrong walked on the moon!

--Toledo, Ohio's professional baseball team was known as the Mud Hens as early as 1896 and remains the only professional sports franchise in America with a feminine name.

--Stabbed to Death by a Baseball! Stanton Walker attended a ball game and was seated between two friends when one attempted to pass an open pocket knife to the other. Just as the knife passed in front of Walker it was struck by a foul ball and driven into his heart - killing him. (1902 incident reported by Ripley in 1939).

--Belt loops did not become standard on men's trousers until after WWI, but baseball players were using them on their knickers as early as the 1800s!

--The words "strike" and "hit" mean the same in every situation except in baseball parlance.

--There are 12,386,344 possible plays in baseball!

--Carlos May is the only Major League Baseball player to ever wear his birth date on the back of his uniform - May 17.

--The odds of a baseball fan being hit by a ball at a major league game are 300,000 to 1.

The Yankee Pride promotion will be valid from October 26^th until November 6^th for children ages 4-16 with the purchase of an adult ticket ($26.95). Children must be wearing Yankees apparel to receive free admission.

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square

Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42^nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 13 million guests visit its 60-plus attractions operating in 12 countries annually. The Orlando-based company also has divisions that oversee publishing, licensing and broadcast operations. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

Ripley's Times Square Announces After Ghoul Special

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square today announced the launch of its “After Ghoul Special”, a month-long Halloween celebration where kids get in free! Ripley’s is the spot to be this October where every day is Halloween!

Monday through Thursday from 4 PM to 7 PM, kids will get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket ($26.95). Ripley’s staff will be dressed to impress in kooky and spooky costumes, handing out Jelly Belly treats to all kid customers visiting Monday-Thursday, during the “After Ghoul Special” hours at the Odditorium.
And if you dare, a Halloween story time will be held at 5:30 PM in the Ripley’s theater, read by one of Ripley’s ghoulish guides!

“Ripley’s is excited to announce the launch of its “After Ghoul Special”,” said Michael Hirsch, Ripley’s General Manager. “You can’t beat the value—and the fun—of this one of a kind Halloween celebration right in the heart of Times Square. No place is better suited for Halloween than Ripley’s Odditorium!”

Please note the “After Ghoul Special” will not be available on Columbus Day, Monday, October 12th. For more information about Ripley’s “After Ghoul Special” and other Halloween promotions please call 212-398-3133 or visit www.ripleysnewyork.com

Warhol Head

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The shrunken head once owned by famed New York pop artist Andy Warhol—aka “The Warhol Head”—has found a new home, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Times Square today announced. The Warhol Head will become part of the world’s largest collection of shrunken heads at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square Odditiorium, joining twenty-three others.

The Warhol Head, pictured above, originally belonged to a warrior in the jungles of Ecuador, who lost it in a battle with the Jivaro Indians. The Jivaros claimed the heads of enemies as symbols of bravery and displayed them—reduced to fist size—as war trophies. To shrink a head, the Jivaros slit the back of the neck and peeled the skin away from the skull. Once the skull was removed, they sewed the head, including the eyes and mouth, back together to ensure that the spirit of the dead did not come back to haunt them. Hot stones and sand were poured into the vacant cavity and the head was boiled in a broth of secret herbs. Finally, the miniaturized head was cured over an open fire to give it a distinctive leathery texture then decorated, in this case, with a headband adorned with the carapaces of iridescent green jungle beetles.

The Warhol Head was owned by Mr. Warhol from 1959-1972, when he sold it through the Winston House Gallery in New York City. From there it was owned by two different collectors of tribal art before being purchased by Ripley’s Entertainment this year. Ripley’s Entertainment is also in possession of a shrunken head once owned by another famous American, Ernest Hemingway.

“Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square welcomes the Warhol Head into its extraordinary 24-piece collection of shrunken heads,” said Ripley’s Times Square General Manager Michael Hirsch. “Each of these heads has its own vibe and personality and we very much look forward to getting to know the Warhol Head. Staff has reported chattering among the collection late at night about the new celebrity neighbor, but I’m not sure whether I believe that or not.”

Cat Man appearing August 29th - September 7th!

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square today announced that the internationally renowned “Cat Man” will be appearing as a curiosity in its odditiorium from August 29th through September 7th. Cat Man has transformed every inch of his body to appear tiger-like; from filing his teeth, tattooing tiger strips on his skin, and undergoing nearly 20 facial surgeries, including whisker implants and pointed ears.

“The dog days of summer are coming to an end; Cat Man is on his way!,” said Michael Hirsch, General Manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square. “Cat Man is a must-see for people of all ages fascinated by the strange and bizarre. He will feel right at home at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square.”

Cat Man’s real name is Dennis Avner, a 50 year old male computer programmer from Tonopah, Nevada. His transformation from human to tiger makes him the most modified human being in the world. Claiming to have the mind and soul of a tiger, Avner has spent uncalculated amounts of money altering his body and has devoted much of his life to his feline obsession, including eating raw meat and climbing trees.

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 13 million guests visit its 60-plus attractions operating in 12 countries annually. The Orlando-based company also has divisions that oversee publishing, licensing and broadcast operations. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

Ripleys LaseRace - A Huge Success

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

RIPLEY'S LASERACE - A HUGE SUCCESS!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square visitors have been challenged by the same high-tech laser technology famously demonstrated by blockbuster Hollywood stars in films including Entrapment, Mission Impossible, and Ocean’s 12.

Ripley’s Impossible LaseRace™, which officially opened this past summer at Ripley's Times Square is the only LaseRace in New York City and tests the guile and agility of New Yorkers as they duck, shimmy, pivot, and crawl through a maze of brilliant red laser beams in an effort to achieve the best possible time. Touch a laser, and time is added onto your score.

“Catherine Zeta Jones made this look easy in Entrapment, but in real life it’s a challenge,” said Ripley’s Times Square General Manager Michael Hirsch. “People love it; the response to the LaseRace during our trial period was overwhelming. But I have to warn you, it’s addictive!”

Ripley’s Impossible LaseRace ™ is available as a $4.99 add on to the Ripley’s general admission price, which gives the participant two attempts to disable the lasers and protect the world from a debilitating computer virus. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Times Square, at 234 w. 42^nd street in Manhattan, is open from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. (Tickets are sold until midnight.)

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Celebrate the New Baseball Season at Ripleys!

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Fun Baseball Facts Released

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square today released a list of fun baseball facts to coincide with the start of the baseball season. It also formally announced its unique year-round collection of historical baseball memorabilia. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! founder Robert Ripley was a renowned baseball enthusiast and collector, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square has extraordinary baseball artifacts on display.

“New Yorkers are in baseball heaven this week, celebrating the openings of the new Yankee Stadium and Citifield,” said Michael Hirsch, General Manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square. “Baseball is an historic American game, and there was no greater fan than Robert Ripley. He amassed an amazing collection of baseball memorabilia during his lifetime, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has carried on his tradition. Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! invites New Yorkers to celebrate the 2009 season with a visit to our Times Square odditorium.”

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square collection of baseball relics include:

A 1931 Wooden Novelty postcard signed during Spring Training that has 16 autographs including Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and Believe it or Not!, Claire Ruth, Babe Ruth’s wife.
Three seats from the original Yankee Stadium from behind home plate taken in 1923.
A movie in the theater room with a feature on The Bandits, a one-armed softball team.
A collection of Ted Williams mementos from his 1994 induction and unveiling of the Ted Williams Hitters of Hall of Fame which includes his autograph, a 1950s Player of the Decade Baseball Heroes baseball card, inaugural cover to the opening of the museum, and more.
During WWII, Robert Ripley was committed to fundraising. In 1939, he put together a charity softball game at Madison Square Garden that included 60 celebrities to raise money for The Boys Club of New York. Ripley stacked his own team, the Believe it or Nots, that included Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Jimmy Durante, W.C. Fields, Al Jolson, William Randolph Hearst, to name a few. In its day, the combined assets of the team members made it the richest and most valuable team ever assembled. We have on display 12 of the original uniforms worn by the team and a classic photograph of the Believe it or Nots with Babe Ruth laying in the foreground of the photo.

The following baseball facts, courtesy of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square, were released to the public today for their enjoyment.

Fun Baseball Facts Courtesy of Ripley’s!

Ty Cobb walked up to 30 miles a day during the off-season with lead in his shoes to maintain his lower body strength.
In 1968, San Francisco Giants Manager Alvin Dark told reporters that NASA would "put a man on the moon before Gaylord Perry hits a home run." On July 20, 1969 Perry connected for his first ever home run - 20 minutes after Neal Armstrong walked on the moon!
Toledo, Ohio's professional baseball team was known as the Mud Hens as early as 1896 and remains the only professional sports franchise in America with a feminine name.
Stabbed to Death by a Baseball! Stanton Walker attended a ball game and was seated between two friends when one attempted to pass an open pocket knife to the other. Just as the knife passed in front of Walker it was struck by a foul ball and driven into his heart - killing him. (1902 incident reported by Ripley in 1939)
Belt loops did not become standard on men's trousers until after WWI, but baseball players were using them on their knickers as early as the 1800s!
The words "strike" and "hit" mean the same in every situation except in baseball parlance.
There are 12,386,344 possible plays in baseball!
Carlos May is the only Major League Baseball player to ever wear his birth date on the back of his uniform - May 17.
The odds of a baseball fan being hit by a ball at a major league game are 300,000 to 1

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square

Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Contact: Bill O’Reilly
212-938-0004

Madalena Phillips
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square
212-398-3133 X 221

President Obama Comes to Times Square! (Sort of)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square today unveiled a portrait of President Barack Obama made entirely of gumballs—12,784 of them!

The one-of-a-kind, six-by-six foot portrait of the President, which can be seen for free from Ripley’s street entrance, will become part of Ripley’s Believe It or Not Times Square!’s permanent collection of unique presidential artifacts.

The collection already features a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln made entirely of Lincoln pennies, locks of George Washington’s, Abraham Lincoln’s and John F. Kennedy’s hair, and other amazing historical items.

“Ripley’s Believe It or Not Times Square! is proud to feature this truly unique presidential portrait,” said Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square General Manager Michael Hirsch. “It is a genuine work of art and it makes a wonderful addition to our presidential collection. This is a one-of-a-kind portrait that has to be seen.”

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square will begin a special gumball promotion Thursday at noon, in which guests can win free entrance into the “Odditorium”. Each guest will have one chance to purchase a gumball (25 cents) from a machine. Anyone drawing an orange gumball gets free admission. (One try per guest) The promotion will run until April 15th.

The portrait was designed artist Franz Spohn, and assembled by dozens of school children as part of a Martin Luther King Day celebration at the King Kennedy Center in Ravenna, Ohio.

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

About Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley's Believe It or Not! that still runs daily in 200 newspapers in 42 countries. There are now 30 Ripley's Believe It or Not!® odditoriums (including NYC) in operation. The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe - exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awestruck.

Bill O’Reilly:
212-938-0004
bill@nicholaslence.com
Nicholas & Lence Communications

Madalena Phillips:
212-398-3133 X 221
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square
madalena@ripleysnewyork.com

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square Launches

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

New York’s Most Unusual and Engaging Attraction Provides Schools with a One-of-a-kind Educational Field Trip Experience

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square today launched its new School Field Trip experience, complete with study guides that meet state learning standards for multiple subjects. Tri-State area teachers now have a new and exciting option for field trips that will excite, amaze and educate their students.

“Our turnkey educational programs are adding a whole new dimension to school class trips,” says Michael Hirsch, general manager, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square. “Kids love the different interactive exhibits and more than 500 unusual artifacts from around the world. Teachers will be blown away by how they tie into their curriculums in social studies, math, science, tolerance, and more.”

The study guides include a list of state learning standards that are met by a Ripley’s visit, easy to adapt interdisciplinary classroom activities, engaging handouts for students, unique homework assignments, and more. The guides are broken down into three age groups: grades K-4, grades 5-8, and grades 9-12.

Teachers and educators can download the study guides for free at http://www.ripleysnewyork.com/free-downloads.php. For more information, or to book a school trip, please contact Ripley’s at (212) 398-3133.

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square

Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley's Times Square Celebrates Sword Swallower's Day

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

30 Feet of Solid Steel to be swallowed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museums Worldwide

At 2:28pm on February 28, 2009, Sword Swallowers around the world will attempt to swallow over 360 inches of steel swords at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums worldwide for International Sword Swallowers Awareness Day. That’s over 30 feet of solid steel! Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) President Dan Meyer proclaimed the third annual “International Sword Swallowers Awareness Day” to raise awareness of sword swallowers around the world.

The day is co-sponsored by Ripley Entertainment, who together with SSAI, is inviting SSAI member sword swallowers to put on sword swallowing demonstrations at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! locations around the world. Sword Swallowers Tim Robbins, Lady Aye and Donny Vomit will perform at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square location this coming Saturday.

Why do sword swallowers need a day of awareness? “We sword swallowers risk our lives every time we swallow a sword, but many people don't believe it’s real, or they think the art has died out," explains Meyer, a sword swallower and Ripley’s Believe It or Not himself. "SSAI established this day to promote this ancient art that is still being carried on by a few dozen surviving practitioners, to honor veteran performers, to raise awareness of the medical contributions sword swallowers have made to the fields of medicine and science, to correct misconceptions and educate the public and medical professionals by putting on demonstrations for medical facilities and the media around the world.”

Why is Ripley’s co-sponsoring the day? “Because it’s great entertainment,” said Tim O’Brien, VP of Communications for Ripley Entertainment Inc. “Sword swallowers and Ripley’s go way back to the very first Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, set up at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. There, three performers, two of which were ladies, mesmerized huge crowds. Ripley’s has been home to sword swallowers around the world ever since.”

On February 28th sword swallowers will perform worldwide, with some attempting to set individual or small group records, while others will perform at Ripley’s Believe It or Not locations around the world. "Normally most of us perform alone," Meyer says. "By SSAI hosting ‘International Sword Swallower's Day’, it gives us a chance to all work together to be part of something much bigger, and performing at Ripley’s Odditoriums helps bring us all together."

On February 28th, SSAI sword swallowers will perform at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditoriums in Ocean City MD, Hollywood CA, Orlando FL, Gatlinburg TN, Niagara Falls, New York City, and London, England. Highlights at Ripley’s locations will include performances by SSAI’s President Dan Meyer in London, the world’s tallest sword swallower, George the Giant in Hollywood, the world’s youngest sword swallower, Erik Kloeker and with his brother Travis Fessler in Gatlinburg, and the largest gathering ever of female sword swallowers in New York City. All Ripley’s performances will take place on 2/28/09 at precisely 2:28:09pm local time. At the end of the day, sword swallowers will submit reports of their activities to SSAI for review and to be submitted for consideration as a possible “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” cartoon.

“It’s a huge honor for us to carry on the great tradition of sword swallowers who have performed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums over the years,” Meyer explains. “In light of this, SSAI is sending an open invitation to all sword swallowers worldwide to contact us and join us in swallowing swords at Ripley’s Believe It or Not museums and other locations on the 28th!"

To celebrate February as “National Swallowing Disorders Month”, sword swallowers not able to make it to a nearby Ripley’s Believe It or Not! location are invited to perform at local medical facilities to help raise awareness of esophageal cancer, dysphasia, GERD, and other upper gastro-intestinal and swallowing disorders. Since some sword swallowers perform charitable work for the medical community, SSAI is encouraging sword swallowers to put on demonstrations at medical facilities throughout the day. Sword swallowers will also perform at hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages for those who would otherwise have difficulty getting to theaters to see live performances. “Sword swallowers who participate in these activities find them rewarding,” explains Meyer. “On February 28th, many people will have the opportunity to see sword swallowing first-hand who would otherwise not have a chance to witness it."

“Many of us have been entertaining for years, and we love our work,” explains Meyer. “‘Sword Swallowers Day’ is a great opportunity for us to show the medical community and the rest of the world what we really do, and performing at Ripley’s locations helps us get the word out!”

The art of sword swallowing began over 4000 years ago in India, and requires the practitioner to use mind-over-matter techniques to control the body and repress natural reflexes to insert solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach. With the demise of the traveling circus sideshow over the past several decades, there are currently less than a few dozen full-time professional sword swallowers actively performing the art of sword swallowing around the world today.

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square

Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

About Ripley Entertainment

Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley's Believe It or Not! that still runs daily in 200 newspapers in 42 countries. There are now 30 Ripley's Believe It or Not!® odditoriums (including NYC) in operation with another to open in late 2007 in India. The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe - exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awestruck.

About The Sword Swallowers Association International

The Sword Swallowers Association International was founded in 2001 to preserve and promote the ancient art of sword swallowing, is comprised of sword swallowers from around the world and maintains a site with general information on sword swallowing for the general public at www.swordswallow.com.

For additional information, please contact:

Madalena Phillips, Ripley’s Times Square (212) 398-3133, madalena@ripleysnewyork.com

Be Shocked and Amazed at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square During the Holidays

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square will be delivering the largest holiday shock in New York City this holiday season when The Enigma, a puzzle - tattooed sideshow prodigy performs December 27 - 29 in the heart of Times Square.

The self-proclaimed 'Freak of Nature' emerged in 1991 and has since performed his all-agesshow around the world staging sideshow stunts that will make anyone's jaw drop. His utter disregard for the ordinary has resulted in a daring show one has to see to believe.

'He is more puzzling than many of our Believe it or Nots! inside the odditorium,' proclaimed Michael Hirsch, General Manager. 'When I was first introduced to The Enigma, I was amazed. I knew immediately that he was somebody we had to bring to perform live at Ripley's and what better time to do it than the Holidays.'

The Enigma's shows will be free of charge and discounted admission tickets to the Believe It or Not! Odditorium will be distributed to the Enigma's show crowd. He will perform on the hour, from noon to 8 p.m. daily.

About Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square
Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square (www.ripleysnewyork.com) is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

For additional information, please contact:

Madalena Phillips, Ripley's Times Square (212) 398-3133, madalena@ripleysnewyork.com

Tim O'Brien, Ripley Entertainment Inc. (615) 646-7465, obrien@ripleys.com

Kiss For Coats: A dare to care this holiday season

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100

With over 90% of New York’s homeless in need of a warm coat and thousands of New Yorkers being forced to make a choice between buying a winter coat and putting food on the table or meeting other basic survival needs, New Yorkers will have an opportunity to drop this staggering statistic on December 12th.

98.7 KISS FM (WRKS) will be broadcasting live throughout the day from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square in Midtown Manhattan as they host their annual donation drive from 6am to 7pm. “The KISS Cares Coat Drive is in its 6th year collecting thousands of coats for New Yorkers in need, and we are so excited to bring it to Ripley’s Times Square this year”, 98.7 KISS FM (WRKS) Program Director, Rose Crichton explained. ”It’s a fun, family friendly venue right in the heart of the city and I couldn’t think of a better partner!”.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! will be offering live Side-Show performance shows throughout the day and an exclusive admission offer to all those who come donate a coat. “Ripley’s is ecstatic about the chance to support New York Cares, an excellent organization that has directly been aiding the homeless for over twenty years”, explained Ripley’s General Manager, Michael Hirsch. “We are encouraging all New Yorkers to extend their kindness and give to those who are experiencing trouble obtaining the necessities that many of us take for granted.”

Roaches are on the Menu at Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch?

They’re crispy; they’re crunchy; they’re on the menu at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Times Square. Visitors can sit down and dine white-glove style on live roaches on Halloween day from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The payoff? The first 20 people to down a roach will get free admission to Ripley’s that day - and bragging rights for the rest of their lives. Diners are hereby given advance notice that condiment use is NOT allowed.

“The Halloween season highlights the oddities inside our museum, usually making our guests squirm and squeal but this Halloween we are looking to our guests to shock us- we want New Yorkers to come down and make us shriek,” said Michael Hirsch, general manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square.

For vegetarians and the squeamish, there’s another way to earn a free admission to the Odditorium, as long as they are pint-sized. From October 25th through October 31st, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is offering free admission to any costumed child with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Once inside, explore twenty-plus galleries of artifacts, videos and interactive exhibits of the world’s strangest oddities of nature, science, humanity and history. From ancient masks to Egyptian mummies to the world’s largest collection of shrunken heads, the Ripley’s exhibits are certain to both fascinate and make guests’ skin crawl this Halloween.

Feel free to bug us for more info.

About Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley's Believe It or Not! that still runs daily in 200 newspapers in 42 countries. There are now 30 Ripley's Believe It or Not!® odditoriums (including NYC) in operation. The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe - exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awestruck.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square New York's Most Unusual Event Space

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Corporate parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other special events now possible in the shadows of over 500 amazing artifacts

Over 300 of New York City's best event planners kicked off the countdown to the holidays on Tuesday evening with a sample of Manhattan's newest and coolest event venue: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square.

Taking unique events to a whole new level, Ripley's Odditorium, located in the heart of Times Square, allows guests to mingle with the world's tallest man, hissing cockroaches, and the largest display of real shrunken heads in existence while enjoying the outstanding food and service provided by 212-Events Catering and Event Planning.

"People are always looking for something different when planning their events," says Michael Hirsch, General Manager of Ripley's Believe it or Not! Times Square. "Well, it doesn't get any more unique than hosting your event where guests will be amazed by their surroundings. We're taking holiday parties out of the ballroom and bringing them into the unbelievable where guests will be talking about their experience long after the event is over."

Event planners were thrilled by the fascinating opportunities to be creative and the potential of the venue. "For those looking for something different and separate themselves from the rest of the corporate parties, Ripley's Believe it or Not! is an amazing location," said Sarah Hughes, Event Planner for Washington & Lee Law School Alumni Association. "The only thing that limits you from creating a once in a lifetime event is your imagination."

Ripley's Odditorium can host parties ranging from 50-1,300 people. For more information, to do a venue walk-through, or to book your event now, please contact their sales department at (212) 398-3133.

About Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square

Situated in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, New York, Ripley's Believe It or Not! offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Hundreds of weird and unusual artifacts are displayed in more than 20 themed galleries spanning two floors. Whether examining a six-legged cow, a lock of Elvis' hair, 24 shrunken heads (the most on public display anywhere on the planet), a section of the Berlin wall, or a life-size albino giraffe, the amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 212-398-3133.

World Famous Cote-d'Ivoire Statues are linked to more than 2,000 pregnancies - So proceed with caution!

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium on 42nd Street in Manhattan will host the first stop of a three year, multi-city tour of the world famous Ripley's Fertility Statues!

"Please Don't Touch - Unless You Want a Baby!"

More than 2,000 women have reported they became pregnant shortly after touching the wooden statues. Many of them had been told by doctors they would never be able to conceive! Since the women’s stories became public in 1994, millions have visited the statues.

Beginning Aug. 26, the statues will be on display for a three-month engagement in the lobby of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Times Square. Would-be parents are invited to come in and touch them for FREE during regular business hours.

The five-foot tall wooden statues were acquired from the Ivory Coast (Coted'Ivoire ) of West Africa in 1994, and were placed in the lobby of Ripley Entertainment's corporate headquarters in Orlando. Within months, 13 women, including staffers and office visitors were pregnant.

Following a December 1996 story in the Wall Street Journal chronicling the phenomenon, the demand to touch them became international news. In the ensuing years, the edifices made three trips around the world, stopping at Believe It or Not! museums, allowing millions easy and free access. They were retired to the Ripley warehouse in 2001, but due to great demand, they were put on display at the Ripley headquarters in Orlando where they have been seen by hundreds each month who made a special pilgrimage to see and touch the statues.

"For years now, we have been inundated with requests to make these statues available once again at our odditoriums throughout the world," said Edward Meyer, VP Archives & Exhibits for Ripley Entertainment. "Amazingly, people are still finding out about them and call us wanting an opportunity to come in and touch them. Due to this demand, we have decided to tour them again."

After New York City, the statues will spend a month each at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums in Grand Prairie Texas and Williamsburg, Va. They will begin 2009 in Branson, Mo.

About Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley's Believe It or Not! that still runs daily in 200 newspapers in 42 countries. There are now 30 Ripley's Believe It or Not!® odditoriums (including NYC) in operation. The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe - exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awestruck.

Contact:
Tim O'Brien
VP Communications, Ripley Entertainment
Obrien@ripleys.com
615-646-7465 - office
615-496-5949 - cell

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Opens in Times Square in New York City

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Watch the Video of The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on AOL Television!

New York City welcomes back the spirit of Robert Ripley with the opening of Ripley's Believe It or Not!® Times Square Odditorium. Thursday's opening marks the return of Ripley to New York, his home for more than 30 years, and to the city that proved that truth can truly be stranger than fiction. Ripley's Times Square houses the ultimate in the odd and bizarre including 24 shrunken heads, a section of the Berlin Wall and a 3,197 lb. meteorite, as well as items that are genuine New York including Babe Ruth's "Believe It or Not's??? New York team baseball uniform.

To celebrate the grand opening, Ripley's is hosting a celebratory ribbon cutting featuring iconic shrunken heads. In true Believe It or Not! fashion, a world-renowned sword swallower will cut the shrunken head ribbon after he pulls the 24 inches of solid steel from his own throat! Ripley's is also inviting New Yorkers and visitors to "Show Us Your Oddities??? prior to the ribbon cutting this morning, in which people showcase their own everyday oddities with an opportunity to win an invitation to the red carpet party this evening. The VIP extravaganza continues tonight in the quirky spirit of Robert Ripley, with celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, Jenny McCarthy and Carmen Electra who will walk a red carpet of hot coals along with performers from all walks of life including Lizardman, Catman and the woman with the world's longest fingernails. To view the red carpet action live, log onto http://www.ripleys.com/ tonight at 7 pm EST and see the star-studded web cast in real time.

"New York City is one of the most amazing cities in the world and it's easy to see why Robert Ripley made the Big Apple his home,??? said Bob Masterson, President, Ripley Entertainment Inc. "We are thrilled to bring Believe It or Not! back to the city where, in 1918, Ripley coined that now famous phrase. Ripley's Times Square Odditorium will house the greatest collection of unbelievable odd and unusual items ever assembled under one roof, from this world and beyond! This fantastic collection captures the essence of Mr. Ripley, the eccentric collector who proved to the world that truth could indeed be stranger than fiction.

Robert Ripley's New York
Robert Leroy Ripley, an icon in the world of cartoon art, the first person to be elected to the Trivia Hall of Fame, and the founder of an entertainment empire based on the premise that "truth can be stranger than fiction,??? first came to New York from San Francisco in 1913 at the age of 23. Working as an illustrator in San Francisco, Ripley was encouraged by his friend Jack London to go to New York and pursue his baseball dream or at least make more money from his drawings. He landed a job as an illustrator with the New York Globe and in 1914 he tried out for the New York Giants - and made the team! Unfortunately, in his very first game with the Giants, he broke his pitching arm. With his baseball career over, Ripley returned to the drawing board at the Globe and to living a full and rich New York City life including marrying a Ziegfeld Follies showgirl, living in a 28-room stone mansion on a private island off Mamaroneck and hosting grand parties during prohibition that would dazzle even the most jaded New Yorker.

About Ripley Entertainment
Ripley Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/) is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the globally syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley's Believe It or Not! that still runs daily in 200 newspapers in 42 countries. There are now 30 Ripley's Believe It or Not!® odditoriums (including NYC) in operation with another to open in late 2007 in India. The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe - exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awestruck.

About Big Apple Entertainment Partners LLC Big Apple Entertainment Partners operate the Ripley's Times Square Odditorium. Big Apple Entertainment Partners LLC is controlled by Carni Development Group LLC, an investment vehicle established for the purpose of making investments in entertainment properties worldwide.

About Ripley's Believe It or Not!® Times Square Odditorium
Address: 234 West 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenue)
Phone Number: (212) 398-3133
Hours: Open 365 days a year from 9am to 1am
Pricing: Adults - $26.95; children ages 4 - 12 years old - $19.95; students, seniors and military
personnel - $21.99