Zoos are just as beneficial for people as they are animals. They serve important roles as cultural institutions that act as third places, foster community, and simply provide a fun day out. As a result, they make excellent locations for special events. Seasonal events are the most obvious; it's hard to think of a major zoo that doesn't do some variation of "Zoo Lights" or "Boo at the Zoo" every holiday season. These are major attendance drivers, along with other entertainment focused ventures like concerts, wine tastings, animatronic dinosaurs, etc. It's gotten me thinking about if there have been any unique or especially notable zoo events that have taken place over the years.
The first one that comes to mind is the Behind-the-Scenes Weekend that Milwaukee County Zoo used to do many years ago. For a weekend in the spring, the zoo would open up select back-of-house areas for guided tours free with admission. No reservation required, you just walked on up and waited in line until it was your group's turn. I remember going once and getting tours of both the hippo holding spaces and the zoo's massive underground hoofstock compound underneath the cat house. It was an amazing event that was wildly popular, but unfortunately it's been a few years since they last did it. I can imagine there's a lot of preparation and manpower needed to pull it off safely and perhaps those resources are no longer available.
A new one that's debuting this year (well, today actually) is the Spring Fest event at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. It's essentially an Earth day/month celebration and includes live music, an art fair, keeper chats, tree plantings, and free birding tours. Not completely unique, but I like events such as this that enhance a visit without completely changing the look and feel of the zoo.
Any other notable zoo events past or present? Any interesting ideas for new zoo events that haven't been done before? Even recognizing zoo nerds aren't the target demographic for most of them, I always enjoy thinking about ways zoos can increase visitation and enhance the guest experience.
The first one that comes to mind is the Behind-the-Scenes Weekend that Milwaukee County Zoo used to do many years ago. For a weekend in the spring, the zoo would open up select back-of-house areas for guided tours free with admission. No reservation required, you just walked on up and waited in line until it was your group's turn. I remember going once and getting tours of both the hippo holding spaces and the zoo's massive underground hoofstock compound underneath the cat house. It was an amazing event that was wildly popular, but unfortunately it's been a few years since they last did it. I can imagine there's a lot of preparation and manpower needed to pull it off safely and perhaps those resources are no longer available.
A new one that's debuting this year (well, today actually) is the Spring Fest event at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. It's essentially an Earth day/month celebration and includes live music, an art fair, keeper chats, tree plantings, and free birding tours. Not completely unique, but I like events such as this that enhance a visit without completely changing the look and feel of the zoo.
Any other notable zoo events past or present? Any interesting ideas for new zoo events that haven't been done before? Even recognizing zoo nerds aren't the target demographic for most of them, I always enjoy thinking about ways zoos can increase visitation and enhance the guest experience.
