Changes

On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the general public in Williamstown, Kentucky.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/07/ark-encounter-opens-to-the-public/ Ark Encounter Opens to the Public!] ''Answers in Genesis''. July 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. Roughly 50-120 atheist protestors protested along the exit ramp of I-75 on opening day,<ref name="Weed"/> even though about half of those at the exit ramp were believed to be Christians who witnessed to the atheists.<ref>Ham, Ken (August 15, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/ark-encounters-responding-misinformation/ Ark Encounter’s Impact—Responding to Misinformation]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 18, 2016.</ref>

On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the general public in Williamstown, Kentucky.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/07/ark-encounter-opens-to-the-public/ Ark Encounter Opens to the Public!] ''Answers in Genesis''. July 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. Roughly 50-120 atheist protestors protested along the exit ramp of I-75 on opening day,<ref name="Weed"/> even though about half of those at the exit ramp were believed to be Christians who witnessed to the atheists.<ref>Ham, Ken (August 15, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/ark-encounters-responding-misinformation/ Ark Encounter’s Impact—Responding to Misinformation]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 18, 2016.</ref>

For the first 40 days of operation to the general public, the Ark had extended hours, where is opened at 9 am and closed at midnight, which symbolized the biblical account of the rains for 40 days and 40 nights.<ref>Law, Jeannie (January 26, 2016). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/ken-ham-ark-encounter-host-millions-40-days-40-nights-opening-155856/ Ken Ham's Ark Encounter to Host Millions of Visitors in 40 Days, 40 Nights Opening]. ''Christian Post''. Retrieved August 18, 2016.</ref> In the first three months, 350,000 people had visited the Ark Encounter, far exceeding one State of Kentucky estimate, which had estimated 325,000 people for the entire year.<ref>Mitchell, Kyle (October 6, 2016). [http://www.wdrb.com/story/33337835/ark-encounter-sees-strong-attendances-numbers-in-first-three-months Ark Encounter sees strong attendances numbers in first 3 months]. ''WDRB''. Retrieved October 11, 2016.</ref> Despite false reports casting the Ark Encounter as a failing attraction, it has seen large crowds and attracted much tourism to the Northern Kentucky area.<ref>Unruh, Bob (June 26, 2017). [https://www.wnd.com/2017/06/fake-news-media-claim-new-noahs-ark-sinking/ Rainy daze: Is Noah's Ark actually sinking?]. ''WND''. Retrieved June 3, 2017.</ref> The Ark Encounter had a strong and successful first year, hosting 1 million visitors.<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/about/press/2017/07/06/ark-encounter-makes-enormous-impact-in-first-year/ Ark Encounter Makes Enormous Impact in First Year]. ''Answers in Genesis''. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.</ref><ref>Smith, Lawrence (July 6, 2017). [http://www.wdrb.com/story/35827195/1-year-after-opening-ark-encounters-attendance-and-impact-is-growing 1 year after opening, Ark Encounter's attendance and impact is growing]. ''WDRB''. Retrieved July 8, 2017.</ref> Attendance at the [[Creation Museum]] was nearly triple the yearly average that year.<ref>Wartman, Scott (July 7, 2017). [http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/07/07/creationist-parks-still-potent-draw-visitors-controversy/425293001/ Creationist parks still a potent draw for visitors and controversy]. ''The Cincinnati Enquirer''. Retrieved July 8, 2017.</ref>

For the first 40 days of operation to the general public, the Ark had extended hours, where is opened at 9 am and closed at midnight, which symbolized the biblical account of the rains for 40 days and 40 nights.<ref>Law, Jeannie (January 26, 2016). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/ken-ham-ark-encounter-host-millions-40-days-40-nights-opening-155856/ Ken Ham's Ark Encounter to Host Millions of Visitors in 40 Days, 40 Nights Opening]. ''Christian Post''. Retrieved August 18, 2016.</ref> In the first three months, 350,000 people had visited the Ark Encounter, far exceeding one State of Kentucky estimate, which had estimated 325,000 people for the entire year.<ref>Mitchell, Kyle (October 6, 2016). [http://www.wdrb.com/story/33337835/ark-encounter-sees-strong-attendances-numbers-in-first-three-months Ark Encounter sees strong attendances numbers in first 3 months]. ''WDRB''. Retrieved October 11, 2016.</ref> Despite false reports casting the Ark Encounter as a failing attraction, it has seen large crowds and attracted much tourism to the Northern Kentucky area.<ref>Unruh, Bob (June 26, 2017). [https://www.wnd.com/2017/06/fake-news-media-claim-new-noahs-ark-sinking/ Rainy daze: Is Noah's Ark actually sinking?]. ''WND''. Retrieved June 3, 2017.</ref> The Ark Encounter had a strong and successful first year, hosting 1 million visitors.<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/about/press/2017/07/06/ark-encounter-makes-enormous-impact-in-first-year/ Ark Encounter Makes Enormous Impact in First Year]. ''Answers in Genesis''. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.</ref><ref>Smith, Lawrence (July 6, 2017). [http://www.wdrb.com/story/35827195/1-year-after-opening-ark-encounters-attendance-and-impact-is-growing 1 year after opening, Ark Encounter's attendance and impact is growing]. ''WDRB''. Retrieved July 8, 2017.</ref> Attendance at the [[Creation Museum]] was nearly triple the yearly average that year.<ref>Wartman, Scott (July 7, 2017). [http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/07/07/creationist-parks-still-potent-draw-visitors-controversy/425293001/ Creationist parks still a potent draw for visitors and controversy]. ''The Cincinnati Enquirer''. Retrieved July 8, 2017.</ref> The Ark Encounter continued expanding and seeing large numbers of visitors.<ref>Gryboski, Michael (June 26, 2019). [https://www.christianpost.com/news/ark-encounter-expands-tourist-attraction-boasts-of-increased-attendance.html Ark Encounter expands tourist attraction, boasts of increased attendance]. ''The Christian Post''. Retrieved September 8, 2019.</ref>

==Notable occurrences==

==Notable occurrences==