FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2002

Contact: Frank Lennon
      (401) 831-8696

      John Martin
      (401) 521-3600

Opening quietly on August 5, Juliett 484 boarded its 1,000th paid visitor in less than a week. Attendance has increased on a daily basis. Encouraged by robust attendance and smooth daily operations, the Saratoga Foundation today announced plans for a formal opening and celebration.

Oldies radio station B101 (101.5 FM) is the official Grand Opening Shore Party sponsor. The station will broadcast live from the pier at Collier Point Park, home of the Juliett 484 submarine museum, with T.C. & Tiffany from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by "Big John" Bina from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Listeners will be encouraged to visit the submarine and register for free prizes. The submarine will open early for those wishing to tour the vessel. Regular ticket prices will be in effect until 6 p.m.

Tickets for the 6 p.m. party, which includes dinner and a VIP submarine tour featuring access to areas of the sub not generally open to the public, are $25 per person. Tort's Sports pub of Seekonk will cater the event with a menu that will include Tort's world-famous steak-tip subs, grilled barbequed chicken, burgers, hot dogs, chips, wine, beer and soft drinks. Additional refreshments - flavored Chai iced teas - will be provided by Chai Guy Distributors of Cranston. Providence-based Slow Drive ... with Arna will perform live throughout the evening.

You may reserve advanced tickets by calling 401-521-3600 or dropping by the Collier Point Park submarine ticket office. Major credit cards are accepted.

"After our first 10 days of operation, it's obvious we really have something here to celebrate," said USS Saratoga Museum Foundation President Frank Lennon. "The sub is a big hit, attracting enthusiastic visitors from Rhode Island and across the nation. Now we're ready to let loose with a fun family day and an exciting twilight event. And the VIP tour that is part of the evening event will give folks a chance to see intriguing parts of the submarine that are not a part of the regular daily tour. We think the daylong celebration is the perfect way to formally introduce Juliett to the public."

"We are delighted to support this fantastic new asset to our community," said B101 program director Bill Hess. "The idea that a former Soviet submarine is leading the way to save its Cold War rival, the USS Saratoga, is a tremendous story and one we are proud to be part of. Our station entertains a generation of Southern New England listeners who experienced the Cold War first hand. Because our younger fans have come to appreciate the music of that era, it's only natural that we encourage a new generation to dive into history aboard Juliett 484."

"From my first visit to the submarine this spring I have looked forward to helping raise the awareness of Juliett 484 in whatever way possible," said Mark Tortolani, who owns Tort's with his brother Mike. "Being in the family food and entertainment business, we support the family fun as well as the educational opportunities that the submarine and aircraft carrier will create." Tortolani, a former elementary and high school art teacher (his wife is a teacher, too), knows the importance of making learning fun. That, he said, is what drew him to Juliett 484. "The learning possibilities for schools and youth groups are endless. We at Tort's support the Saratoga Foundation and its many volunteers. We're proud to be a part of the team."

The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation acquired Juliet 484 in March of 2002 to support its ongoing effort to convert the supercarrier USS Saratoga into a floating museum, education center and family attraction on Narragansett Bay. The Foundation's long-term vision is the display the two ships - Cold War adversaries that were both decommissioned in 1994 - side by side as a Cold War museum and monument to lasting peace between Russia and the United States. The Saratoga is moored at the U.S. Navy facility in Middletown.

Tort's is one of the region's most popular sports-themed family restaurants. Located at 350 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, it provides hearty casual dining in an atmosphere rich with sports memorabilia. Whether it's lunch, a get together before or after the game, or a family night out, Tort's has a menu that suits every occasion.

Slow Drive ... with Arna began as a musical collaboration between physicians Allan Raskin, a sax-playing emergency room doctor, and guitar-playing cardiologist Peter Madelson. With influences as diverse as Charlie Parker, '60s radio, and the Grateful Dead, the band naturally explores rock, jazz, funk, Motown and gospel.

Juliett 484 is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. She also is available for special events and private parties. Ticket prices are $5 for children; $6 for uniformed military personnel and senior citizens; $8 for all other adults. Major credit cards are accepted; no reservations are required. For safety purposes, guests must wear appropriate footwear: high heels, flip-flops and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Visitors must demonstrate their ability to pass through a mock submarine hatch near the ticketing area. Infants and toddlers are not allowed to tour the submarine. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The submarine museum is located in beautiful Collier Point Park, an urban oasis near the center of downtown Providence. The park entrance is on Allens Avenue, immediately south of the city's newest electrical generating plant.

DIRECTIONS:

From Providence City Hall:

Go south on Dorrance Street; stay straight to go onto Dyer Street; turn slight left onto Eddy St. After 0.4 miles, bear left at fork onto Allens Avenue. After about 0.4 miles, the road divides around an island at a construction site. Make a U-turn at the traffic light at the end of the island to head north on Allens Avenue. The entrance to Collier Point Park will be on your right.

From Points North:

From I-95 South, take the Eddy St. exit - Exit 19 - towards Allens Avenue. Keep left at the fork in the ramp, passing under the overpass. Turn left at the light onto Allens Avenue; Collier Point Park is approximately 0.1 miles on the right hand side.

From Points South:

From I-95 North, take the Thurbers Avenue exit - Exit 18 - towards Allens Avenue. Keep right at the fork in the ramp, merging onto Thurbers Avenue. Turn left onto Allens Avenue. Collier Point Park is approximately 0.8 miles up on the right hand side.

From anywhere in the United States:

Enter an address to get driving directions to Collier Point Park:

From: - Street - City, State [or Zip]

To: Collier Point Park Adjacent to Manchester Street Generating Station 40 Point Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Parking

Limited parking is available. On weekends and holidays you may be directed to our overflow parking lot at Heritage Harbor Museum, about a third of a mile north of Collier Point Park. Shuttle service will be available.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is convenient. RIPTA's Route # 3 will stop at the Collier Point Park entrance during our regular hours. From the park gate, the sub ticket office is located just a short walk toward the waterfront.

• Select this link to learn more on Juliett 484

Last Updated:
8/15/02