Dolphins will be jumping off of state license plates soon.
The plates are a precursor of the Georgia Aquarium's $110 million dolphin-fueled expansion scheduled to open in late 2010.
The downtown attraction has created four designs for the special interest plates, each featuring the marine mammal leaping out of the water, and is asking guests and Web site visitors to vote for the keeper. The Web address is www.georgiaaquarium.org/supportus/aquariumtag.aspx.
Three of the choices are illustrations and the fourth is a photo of a silhouetted dolphin jumping over a setting sun.
The winner will be announced later this month, in conjunction with a celebration of the aquarium's 10 millionth visitor. The plates go into production in July.
"We're confident that this will be a great way to build anticipation for the dolphin expansion while also giving back, with proceeds going toward dolphin research and conservation efforts," aquarium president and CEO Anthony Godfrey said.
The plates can be ordered for $25 through the aquarium Web site, at the attraction or by phone at 404-581-4000.
Motor vehicle owners needn't wait until their birthdays to apply for one; registration fees and ad valorem taxes will not be affected. County tag offices will contact purchasers when their plates are ready.
The aquarium is billing the dolphin galleries as one of the world's largest. It will hold nearly 2 million gallons of water and feature an expansive theater. Construction began last August on the west side of the aquarium, near its Luckie Street parking deck entrance.
In addition to standard plates, the Georgia Department of Revenue's Web site offers specialty plates for 29 universities and colleges, 38 for the armed services, five motorcycle and 80 special interest, from AIDS Survival Project and Amateur Radio to Georgia Equine Industry and "Thanks Mom and Dad."
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