Author: Wellons team

New additions include Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy and Toy Factory; hundreds of new exhibits

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – (June 23, 2010) – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco Odditorium, a popular Fisherman’s Wharf attraction since 1967, will reopen after undergoing a mega-makeover that took several months and $5 million dollars to complete.

A media preview day will be held on Tuesday, June 29 from 10 am to 1 pm. Reporters and photographers will have full access to see and try out the exhibits in the Odditorium and can interview Ripley’s representatives before the museum opens to the public.

“If you have visited us in the past, as millions have since we first opened, you certainly won’t recognize us now,” said Ian Iljas, Ripley’s general manager. “Not only do we have a new, fresh and colorful look and new exhibits, but we also have expanded the space and now offer a mirror maze with hundreds of mirrors and a candy and toy factory that has an amazing choice of bulk candies and unique toys.”

With more than 70 new interactive and hands-on exhibits, it’s the most interactive Believe It or Not! Odditorium in the world!  It is home to more than 300 exhibits, 80% of which are new, in 18 themed galleries, with a new emphasis on the Bay Area.

Highlights include:

• The car that the late Buck Helm was in when it was crushed during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. Helm spent 89 hours in the vehicle under tons of rubble. The car was donated to Ripley’s by the Helm family and it has never been on display in the Bay Area, having spent the last 20 years in Los Angeles.

• The world’s smallest Golden Gate Bridge replica – made from a single toothpick.

• The restraint chair from the former gas chamber on San Quentin’s death row.

• Joe DiMaggio war memorabilia.

• “Goliath,” the world’s largest sea lion, acquired from P.T. Barnum.

• Space shuttle Columbia, a model made from 600,000 matchsticks.

• Celebrity portraits made entirely of candy, including a lovely, licorice-laden Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson made from gum drops.

• A wedding dress made from toilet paper.

• A ball of human hair weighing 167 pounds.

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy &Toy Factory is where “mirror, mirror on the wall” goes to a whole new level, with more than 200 mirrors spread across nearly 2,000 square feet of space. After completing the amazing maze, visitors can treat themselves to a treat from the colorful new candy store. It has a splendiferous variety of candies of all kinds – from old fashioned root beer barrels to the most current confections, all set in a fantasy candy factory surrounding.

“Visitors will find a new emphasis on San Francisco in our attraction,” said Iljas. “It’s a great testament to Robert Ripley, who called San Francisco home for a time.”

Robert Ripley joined the San Francisco Bulletin as a cartoonist in 1909 and then moved to the San Francisco Chronicle where he worked until heading to New York City in 1912.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco Odditorium is located at 175 Jefferson Street.

For ticket information and hours please visit http://sanfrancisco.ripleys.com/.

Contacts:

Tim O’Brien                                                     Ian Iljas

VP Communications                                       Manager

Ripley Entertainment Inc.                               Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco

Office – 615-646-7465                                   Office – 415-202-9850

Cell – 615-496-5949                                       Cell – 415-515-5359

Obrien@ripleys.com iljas@ripleys.com

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment.  More than 13 million people visit its 80-plus attractions in 11 countries each year.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, 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.

Additions offer Bay Area families and Fisherman’s Wharf visitors new opportunities for fun, family outings!

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – (July 1, 2010) – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco Odditorium, a popular Fisherman’s Wharf attraction since 1967, has reopened after undergoing a mega-makeover that took several months and $5 million dollars to complete.

Additions include Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy and Toy Factory and hundreds of new exhibits

“If you have visited us in the past, as millions have since we first opened, you certainly won’t recognize us now,” said Ian Iljas, Ripley’s general manager. “Not only do we have a new, fresh and colorful look and new exhibits, but we also have expanded the space and now offer a mirror maze with hundreds of mirrors and a candy and toy factory that has an amazing choice of bulk candies and unique toys.”

With more than 70 new interactive and hands-on exhibits, it’s the most interactive Believe It or Not! Odditorium in the world!  It is home to more than 300 exhibits, 80% of which are new, in 18 themed galleries, with a new emphasis on the Bay Area.

Highlights include:

• The car that the late Buck Helm was in when it was crushed during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.  Helm spent 89 hours in the vehicle under tons of rubble. The car was donated to Ripley’s by the Helm family and it has never been on display in the Bay Area, having spent the last 20 years in Los Angeles.

• The world’s smallest Golden Gate Bridge replica – made from a single toothpick.

• The restraint chair from the former gas chamber on San Quentin’s death row.

• Joe DiMaggio war memorabilia.

• “Goliath,” the world’s largest sea lion, acquired from P.T. Barnum.

• A model of the Space Shuttle Challenger made from 600,000 matchsticks.

• Celebrity portraits made entirely of candy, including a lovely, licorice-laden Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson made from gum drops.

• A wedding dress made from toilet paper.

• A ball of human hair weighing 167 pounds.

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze is where “mirror, mirror on the wall” goes to a whole new level, with more than 200 mirrors spread across nearly 2,000 square feet of seemingly dead end paths. Special lighting and sound effects make this a fun and unique family activity!

Ripley’s Candy & Toy Factory is a colorful, fun and tasty addition to the Believe It or Not! and the Marvelous Mirror Maze! A huge and splendiferous variety of candies of all kinds – from old fashioned root beer barrels to the most current confections are available as are unique and fun toys.

“Visitors will find a new emphasis on San Francisco in our attraction,” said Iljas. “It’s a great testament to Robert Ripley, who called San Francisco home for a time.”

Robert Ripley joined the San Francisco Bulletin as a cartoonist in 1909 and then moved to the San Francisco Chronicle where he worked until heading to New York City in 1912.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco Odditorium is located at 175 Jefferson Street in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Odditorium opens daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and Midnight on Friday and Saturday.

For ticket information and hours please visit http://sanfrancisco.ripleys.com/.

For high-resolution, downloadable images, please go to Ripley’s Newsroom.

Contacts:

Tim O’Brien                                                     Ian Iljas

VP Communications                                       Manager

Ripley Entertainment Inc.                               Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco

Office – 615-646-7465                                   Office – 415-202-9850

Cell – 615-496-5949                                       Cell – 415-515-5359

Obrien@ripleys.com iljas@ripleys.com

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Francisco is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment.  More than 13 million people visit its 80-plus attractions in 11 countries each year.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, 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.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Atlantic City looking for contestants for August 18 face frenzy

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – (Aug. 2, 2010) – Got a face that can launch a thousand ships? Did you get in trouble as a kid for making faces? If so, that mug just might win you some cash and a place in history from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Atlantic City.

Ripley’s is looking for contestants for its 14^th annual Great Face Off. The contest is to find the person who can make the funniest, silliest, weirdest, creepiest or craziest face.

The winner gets $300 in cash and a picture of their winning face on permanent display at Ripley’s Atlantic City Odditorium.

People who think their face has what it takes can try out for the contest either in person at Ripley’s Atlantic City Odditorium or send a digital picture of their craziest face to ripacac@aol.com. All prequalified contestants will receive a free Ripley’s t-shirt on the day of the event.

Mugs that make the cut will be invited to the Great Face Off competition on Wednesday, August 18 at 11 a.m. at Ripley’s Atlantic City Odditorium, located at New York Ave. and The Boardwalk.

For more information and downloadable images of past winners, such as Joe Zappulla, shown here, the 2009 winner, go to Ripley’s Newsroom.

Contacts:

Chris Connelly

GM, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Atlantic City

Office – (609) 347-2001

ripacac@aol.com

About Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Atlantic City is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment.  More than 13 million people visit its 80-plus attractions in 11 countries each year.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, 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.

First 10 to Complete the Game Will Win Custom-Made Limited-Edition Shrunken Heads Created by Ripley’s F/X Department

ORLANDO, Fla. – (May 20, 2010) – Robert Ripley’s legacy as an adventurer lives on today through Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums, books, TV and radio shows. Soon Ripley fans will have the opportunity to experience Ripley’s world of the weird like they never have before – through Ripley’s first ever online game.

Zon8 takes players into Ripley’s virtual world of artifacts and oddities

The new offering is a free puzzle adventure game called Zon8. The game takes players on a journey through a fictitious warehouse of Robert Ripley’s archives. Players must solve a series of puzzles, discover special artifacts and collect a variety of clues on their journey.

You see the Church of the One Tree in Robert Ripley’s hometown of Santa Rosa, California. Entering the building, nothing seems out of the ordinary, but you get the feeling that this is a very unusual, special place. A hidden artifact near the altar opens a door that leads you into the unknown.

You’re in a cavernous warehouse beneath the church. You’ve entered Robert Ripley’s secret archives. You must find the artifacts that provide you with clues needed to continue on your journey. You must solve a series of mind-bending puzzles in order to proceed. Every room, every level provides its own special challenges for you to face. As you advance in the game, you also leap forward into the future.

Players eventually come face-to-face with S.A.R.I. – an imaginary artificial intelligence that Robert Ripley supposedly created.

You’ve survived long enough to reach Zon8. Your heart races as you face your ultimate test. You’re about to be challenged by S.A.R.I. – the Secure Access Ripley Interface. S.A.R.I. knows all and is very unforgiving. Do not question it – it will question you. Legend has it that Robert Ripley began developing S.A.R.I. as a database for the odd in 1945. S.A.R.I. puts you on the spot to see if you have gathered the correct answers along your journey.

S.A.R.I. asks a series of questions that players must answer from information that they have gathered during the game. The multiple-choice questions are actual Believe It or Not! facts. Eight correct answers in a row complete the game. Get one wrong and players must start again.

You’re faced with a series of questions unlike any you’ve ever had to answer. S.A.R.I. demands perfection. Answer eight questions in a row to successfully complete your journey – answer incorrectly and feel the pressure mount as you are forced to start again. You now wish you would have paid more attention along the way. Those who have the answers will see the final saga unfold before their very eyes.

First 10 Finishers Will Win Unique Prizes; First 50 Will Win Prizes

The first 10 players to finish the game will receive a prize that rewards them for their Ripley-esque spirit of adventure – a custom made shrunken head created by Ripley’s F/X department exclusively for this game. Only 10 were made and are the only ones in existence! These are the ultimate Ripley collectible, notes Dave Ugan, Ripley’s VP of IT.

In total, there are 50 prizes for the first 50 finishers. Finishers 11 through 30 will receive a copy of the Ripley book, “In Search of the Shrunken Head,” and finishers from 31 to 50 will receive the Ripley book, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Seeing is Believing.”

Zon8 is set to launch during the week of June 28. The game is free, but players must sign up to receive notice to when the game will go live. Players can sign up at this link. Everyone who registers will be advised to when the game goes live so all will have equal opportunity to win the 10 coveted shrunken heads. The estimated time to complete the game is 6-8 hours.

“Zon8 is the amazing result of combining the legendary artifacts and oddities Ripley’s has in its collection with the interactive aspects of the virtual world,” said Ugan, who is overseeing Ripley’s unprecedented push, company-wide, into cutting edge technology.

The game was developed by 2Advanced Studios, an interactive agency dedicated to pushing the creative boundaries of design and technology to deliver high impact rich media solutions. From its main campus in Aliso Viejo, California, Co-Founders Eric Jordan, Tony Novak, and John Carroll lead a team of 25 employees based in both the United States and Japan.

Downloadable game images are available in the Ripley’s Newsroom.

Media Contact:

Tim O’Brien

VP Communications

Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Obrien@ripleys.com

Office – 615-646-7465

Cell – 615-496-5949

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 80-plus attractions in 11 countries.  In addition to its 31 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.

Last stop on world tour; Last chance to visit the statues

Panama City, Fla. – (September 14, 2010) – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Panama City will host the world-famous Ripley’s Fertility Statues for public viewing from October 4 to October 25.

Please Don’t Touch – Unless You Want a Baby!

More than 2,000 women have reported that they became pregnant shortly after touching the wooden statues. Many of them had been told by doctors they would never be able to conceive.  Some are very serious about touching the statues, believing in their powers to help them conceive. Others want to avoid touching the statues – for the very same reason!

The five-foot tall wooden statues were acquired from the Ivory Coast of West Africa in 1993 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.

The Real American Idols

Following a December 1995 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.

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 women routinely made special visits just to see and touch the statues.

“For years, we were inundated with requests to make these statues available once again, so we’ve brought them out of retirement and they are proving to be very popular during this world tour,” said Edward Meyer, VP of Archives & Exhibits for Ripley Entertainment.

How to Reach Out and Touch the Statues in Panama City

The statues will be on display in the lobby of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Panama City from October 4 through October 25. Would-be parents are invited to come in and touch them for FREE during regular business hours. Museum hours and location:

Daily 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

9907 Front Beach Road

Panama City Beach, Florida

(850) 230-6113

This is the statues’ final tour stop. After Panama City they will go back into Ripley’s vault in Orlando and early next year they will be put back on public display in the corporate offices.

To set up an interview with a mother who touched the statues and became pregnant, contact Tim O’Brien at obrien@ripleys.com.

For more information, including high resolution images and video, please visit www.ripleysnewsroom.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 80 attractions in 11 countries.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions, 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.

Contacts:

Mike Walsingham

Marketing Manager

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Panama City

850-832-0125 cell

pcbripleys@aol.com

Tim O’Brien

VP Communications

Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Office – 615-646-7465

Cell – 615-496-5949

obrien@ripleys.com

World-famous statues are linked

to more than 2,000 pregnancies – so proceed with caution!

Niagara Falls, ON. – (August 4, 2010) – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Niagara Falls will host the return of the world-famous Ripley’s Fertility Statues for public viewing from September 4 to September 26.

Please Don’t Touch – Unless You Want a Baby!

More than 2,000 women have reported that they became pregnant shortly after touching the wooden statues. Many of them had been told by doctors they would never be able to conceive.  Some are very serious about touching the statues, believing in their powers to help them conceive. Others want to avoid touching the statues – for the very same reason!

The five-foot tall wooden statues were acquired from the Ivory Coast of West Africa in 1993 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.

The Real American Idols

Following a December 1995 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.

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 women routinely made special visits just to see and touch the statues.

“For years, we were inundated with requests to make these statues available once again, so we’ve brought them out of retirement and they are proving to be very popular during this world tour,” said Edward Meyer, VP of Archives & Exhibits for Ripley Entertainment.

The statues are back in the U.S. after wrapping up the European leg of their three-year world tour. They have been seen by thousands of people during crowd-pleasing stops at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums in New York’s Times Square, Grand Prairie, Texas, Williamsburg, Virginia, Orlando, Florida, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, San Francisco, California, London, Blackpool, England, St. Augustine, Florida, Newport, Oregon, San Antonio, Texas, Branson, Missouri, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Ocean City, Maryland and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

How to Reach Out and Touch the Statues in Niagara Falls

The statues will be on display in the lobby of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Niagara Falls from September 4 through September 26. Would-be parents are invited to come in and touch them for FREE during regular business hours. Museum hours and location:

Daily 9 a.m. – midnight

4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario

L2G 3N4 Canada

(905) 356-2238

After Niagara Falls, the statues’ final stop will be in Panama City, Florida from October 4 – October 25 .

To set up an interview with a mother who touched the statues and became pregnant, contact Tim O’Brien at obrien@ripleys.com.

For more information, including high resolution images and video, please visit www.ripleysnewsroom.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 80 attractions in 11 countries.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions, 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.

Contacts:

Tim Parker

General Manager

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls

Office – 905-356-2238

parker@ripleys.com

Tim O’Brien

VP Communications

Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Office – 615-646-7465

Cell – 615-496-5949

obrien@ripleys.com

World-famous statues are linked

to more than 2,000 pregnancies – so proceed with caution!

Atlantic City, N.J. – (May 5, 2010) – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Atlantic City will host the return of the world-famous Ripley’s Fertility Statues for public viewing from June 4 to June 29.

Please Don’t Touch – Unless You Want a Baby!

More than 2,000 women have reported that they became pregnant shortly after touching the wooden statues. Many of them had been told by doctors they would never be able to conceive.

Some are very serious about touching the statues, believing in their powers to help them conceive. Others want to avoid touching the statues – for the very same reason!

The five-foot tall wooden statues were acquired from the Ivory Coast of West Africa in 1993 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.

The Real American Idols

Following a December 1995 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.

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 women routinely made special visits just to see and touch the statues.

“For years, we were inundated with requests to make these statues available once again, so we’ve brought them out of retirement and they are proving to be very popular during this world tour,” said Edward Meyer, VP of Archives & Exhibits for Ripley Entertainment.

The statues are back in the U.S. after wrapping up the European leg of their three-year world tour. They have been seen by thousands of people during crowd-pleasing stops at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums in New York’s Times Square, Grand Prairie, Texas, Williamsburg, Virginia, Orlando, Florida, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, San Francisco, California, London, Blackpool, England, St. Augustine, Florida, Newport, Oregon, San Antonio, Texas and Branson, Missoui.

How to Reach Out and Touch the Statues in Atlantic City

The statues will be on display in the lobby of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Atlantic City from June 4 through June 29. Would-be parents are invited to come in and touch them for FREE during regular business hours. Museum hours and location:

Monday – Friday:  10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday:  10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday:  10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

1441 Boardwalk

(609) 347-2001

After Atlantic City, the statues will spend several months touring the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums around the U.S.  The current schedule is:

Ocean City, Maryland: July 2 – July 27

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: July 31 – August 29

Niagara Falls, Ontario: September 4 – September 26

Panama City, Florida: October 4 – October 25

To set up an interview with a mother who touched the statues and became pregnant, contact Tim O’Brien at Obrien@ripleys.com.

For more information, including high resolution images and video, please visit www.ripleysnewsroom.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 80 attractions in 11 countries.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions, 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.

Contacts:

Chris Connelly

GM, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Atlantic City

Office – (609) 347-2001

ripacac@aol.com

Tim O’Brien

VP Communications

Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Office – 615-646-7465

Cell – 615-496-5949

obrien@ripleys.com

Oh Baby! New Jersey woman latest to share success story as statues continue their U.S. tour

Atlantic City, N.J. – (June 23, 2010) – A New Jersey woman is the latest to join more than 2,000 women worldwide who say Ripley’s Believe It or Not! fertility statues helped them get pregnant.

Rachel and Jon Taylor, stationed at Fort Dix Army base, had been trying to start a family for about three years but had no luck in getting pregnant. Fertility specialists told Rachel there was no way she would conceive on her own.

The couple was running low on hope when Rachel’s mother read a news story about the Ripley’s fertility statues on the internet.

The five-foot tall wooden statues were acquired from the Ivory Coast of West Africa in 1993 and placed in the lobby of Ripley Entertainment’s corporate headquarters in Orlando. Within months, 13 women, including staffers and office visitors, were pregnant. The statues were put on public display around the country and the number of people who say the statues helped them get pregnant has grown to more than 2,000.

Rachel and her mother made a special trip to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Wisconsin Dells while the statues were there for a month during their international tour.

“I was desperate and willing to try anything to get pregnant,” said Taylor. She and her mother rubbed the statues, spent a couple hours shopping and then got on a plane back to New Jersey.

BBEFORE – Rubbing the statues in Wisconsin

In November, Rachel found out she was pregnant – just weeks from before turning to in vitro fertilization treatments. She gives credit to the statues. “I can’t come up with any other explanation,” she says.

Neither can her doctors. To this day, Rachel says they have never figured out why she became pregnant.

She’s due to give birth in August to a baby boy named Maxwell.

Would she call on the statues for help getting pregnant again? “I would,” says Taylor. “But I’ll have to convince my husband first!”

She and her mom paid the statues a visit during their current stop at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Atlantic City and shared her success story with others calling on the statues for some good conceptual karma.                             AFTER – Mom and baby-to-be visit the statues in Atlantic City

The statues will be on display at Ripley’s Atlantic City through June 29^th.

Their next stop will be Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Ocean City from July 2 to July 27.

As always, the statues are on display in the lobby of the Ripley’s museums and can be seen – and touched – for free.

For more information, including the statues’ tour schedule, high resolution images and video, please visit www.ripleysnewsroom.com.

To set up an interview with Rachel Taylor, contact Tim O’Brien at 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 80 attractions in 11 countries.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions, 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.

Contacts:

Chris Connelly                                                                                                   Tim O’Brien

GM, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Atlantic City                                          VP Communications

Office – (609) 347-2001                                                                                  Ripley Entertainment Inc.

ripacac@aol.com Office – 615-646-7465

Cell – 615-496-5949

obrien@ripleys.com