The aquarium at Bass Pro Shops, for the fifth consecutive year has been named the nation’s best aquarium by USA Today, which is owned by Gannett (owner of the Springfield News-Leader).
USA Today conducts a national online poll among its readers. Voting ended March 6.
This year’s banner was unfurled at a Friday morning press conference at the Great Barrier Reef exhibit, with speakers standing before a backdrop of a huge aquarium with circling fish.
At one point, two divers in the tank held a sign “America’s Best Aquarium.”
It actually is banner No. 6. In 2017, USA Today conducted a poll and bestowed the aquarium with the title of Best New Attraction.
“It is a great day in the Ozarks,” said Bob Ziehmer, senior director of Conservation for Bass Pro Shops.
The aquarium is part of the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium at 500 W. Sunshine St., next to Bass Pro Shops, founded by Johnny Morris.
Morris was not in attendance. One of the speakers mentioned that Friday was his birthday. He is 75.
Representatives of the office of Gov. Mike Parson were present, as was Springfield Mayor Ken McClure.
McClure extolled the value of the aquarium to the city in terms of economic strength, tourism and conservation.
The aquarium has had more than 5 million visitors since it opened in 2017. If all goes well, a 7,000-gallon aquarium for jellyfish will open this spring.
Also present was Les Hazen, a Springfield resident who volunteers at the aquarium.
Hazen said he had figured out in advance why the press conference was being held and showed up to lend support.
He told a Springfield Daily Citizen reporter a story that explains why national recognition matters in terms of marketing.
“About a week ago, I was volunteering and I met a man from West Virginia and I asked what brought him here,” Hazen said. “He told me that he had read that this was the best aquarium in the United States, and he came here to see it.”
