Messenger - Vol. 1, No. 1, Page 11 Fall 1991 Salty seafaring tales to flavor Coast Day At Coast Day this fall, visitors can hear tales of life aboard a research ship, pick up a starfish, watch a chemical magic show and learn about the marine environment. Set for Sunday, Oct. 6, Coast Day is an annual open house on the College of Marine Studies complex in Lewes. Now in its 15th year, the event is designed to inform the public about the research and education activities of the University, particularly in the marine sciences, and to demonstrate the value and fragility of the sea and shore. Numerous University departments and colleges, environmental groups and organizations and state natural resource agencies will provide exhibits and displays. Coast Day will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Admission is free, and parking at the complex, located off Pilottown Road, is $1. "Coast Day provides us with the opportunity to open our laboratories and let the public in to see first-hand the research we are conducting," says Carolyn Thoroughgood, dean of the college. "We want to the public to learn more about our oceans and coasts, and we want them to have fun as they learn." Highlights of this year's event will include a lecture series focusing on the exploits of the college's research vessel Cape Henlopen and tours of several ships including the Blue Hen, Delaware's participant in the Columbus 500 International Sailing Expedition. Next year, the expedition will retrace Columbus' voyage to the New World. A demonstration of satellite mapping of ocean currents, a "gee whiz" quiz testing knowledge of the marine environment, an environmental forum, a nautical fleamarket and a crab cake cook-off also will be part of the day's activities. In addition, a film festival, seafood cooking demonstrations and a wide variety of children's activities--from fish printing to marine critter touch tanks--will be featured. Musical entertainment will be provided by the First State Force, an all-policeman rock-and-roll band with an anti-drug message. Fresh-cooked seafood, live seafood for home preparation and other foods will be on sale by local vendors. For more information, call the Marine Communications office at 451-8083.