Life-Sized Noah's Ark Revealed to Public in Kentucky

Visitors gather outside Ark Encounter, a $100 million, 510-foot-long re-creation of Noah's Ark in Williamstown Kentucky, on Tuesday, July 5. Ark Encounter is the brainchild of Australian-born creationist Ken Ham. It was built with the help of state tax incentives and the sale of $62 million in junk bonds.

A visitor passes a diorama of Noah and his family praying inside the Ark Encounter theme park during a media preview day in Williamstown, Ky. The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday. The Christian group behind the wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.

Children look into a cage containing model baby dinosaurs. The ark has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education.

A worker puts out stuffed animals in the gift shop at the Ark Encounter.

Members of the media film the interior of the Ark Encounter.

Patrons tour the interior of the reproduction of Noah's Ark.

Patrons and construction workers walk outside the Ark Encounter.

The Williamstown High School marching band performs before a ribbon cutting to announce the opening of the Ark Encounter theme park during a media preview day, on Tuesday, July 5.