October 2014 Special Events and Promotions Announced for Palm Beach Zoo

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is announcing the following special events and promotions for the month of October 2014:

Safari Nights: “Zoo-per Hero (Superhero!)” theme: October 3, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Calling all superheroes to unite to help defeat the evil villain trying to destroy Friday night fun. Meet at Hero Headquarters (AKA “the Palm Beach Zoo”) for some fun superhero training! Guests can enjoy a kid-friendly DJ and dance party in the Fountain Plaza, face painting, up-close animal encounters and meet ‘n’ greets with some of the Zoo Crew’s costume characters. Guests who dress like their favorite superhero will be entered to win a Zoo prize pack valued at $150, to be drawn at the end of the Safari Night series in October.

Zoo members get in to Safari Nights for free! The following admission prices include access to the entire Zoo: $15.95 for a non-member adult, $9.95 for a non-member child (ages 3-12), free for toddlers under age three. Please note, as dusk approaches some animals may not be visible and some paths may be closed.

Web link for more information: http://www.palmbeachzoo.org/safari-nights

Exotic Pet Amnesty Day: October 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — The second annual Exotic Pet Amnesty Day for Palm Beach County will be held on October 4, 2014, at the former Garden Club building in Dreher Park behind the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society and next to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium (address: 4800 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach). The public is invited to surrender any exotic nonnative animals they may be keeping as pets – no penalties and no questions asked. Surrendered animals will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Surrendered animals will be checked by a veterinarian, micro-chipped and made available for adoption by experienced individuals who are capable of caring for them. Animals that will be accepted for surrender include reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates. Domestic animals will not be accepted.

Exotic Pet Amnesty Day is hosted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA) and the Zoo, and is sanctioned by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The event is free and open to the public. Live animals will be on display, and experts from the FWC, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Zoo will be available for conversations and questions about exotic pets. The surrendered animals will be made available for adoption after 2 p.m. Exotic pet adopters must be experienced and must have already applied and been approved by the FWC. Would-be adopters must bring their acceptance letters with them. Adopter applicationscan be found at www.myFWC.com/nonnatives. Becoming an adopter is free.

For additional information about this event, call the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681). Exotic pet owners who cannot attend this event can call this number for assistance in finding a new home for their animal.

Web link for more information – http://tinyurl.com/PetAmnesty2014

Food Truck Safari: October 4, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Feed your inner animal at some of South Florida’s best food trucks inside the Zoo, when the “Food Truck Safari” returns on October 4. Enjoy live music from Stephen Vincent and Juan Nealon of Sekond Nature along with exciting Zoo Keeper talks and up-close animal encounters. The following food trucks will be spread throughout Zoo grounds: DR Smokehouse, Parabas Grill, Monster Burgers, Don Mofongo, PDQ and Paradise Cups.

Admission, which does not include food and beverage purchases, is $9 for adult members, $10 for adult non-members, $6 for child members, $7 for child non-members and free for toddlers under age three. All food trucks are donating a portion of their proceeds toward Zoo operations. Trucks accept cash or credit. Gate proceeds support regular Zoo operations.

The Zoo encourages all food trucks to apply sustainable practices in their daily operations, and will once again give a “Sustainability Award” to the truck that excels in the most environmental and conservation sustainability categories in food production and presentation.

YouTube video of a previous Food Truck Safari: http://youtu.be/SHL9vMsaUjY

Safari Nights: “Fairy Tale Night” theme: Little lords and ladies, princes and princesses are invited to a fun night worthy of royalty during the Zoo’s “Fairy Tale Night.” This is the final Safari Nights event of the year, and it will feature a special appearance by some of today’s most popular princess characters, children’s entertainment, including roving animal encounters, Keeper Talks and animal training sessions. Zoo members get in to Safari Nights for free during August! The following admission prices include access to the entire Zoo: $15.95 for a non-member adult, $9.95 for a non-member child (ages 3-12), free for toddlers under age three. Please note, as dusk approaches some animals may not be visible and some paths may be closed.

Web link for more information: http://www.palmbeachzoo.org/safari-nights

Roar & Pour: Across the Universe, a Beatles’ Tribute Band: October 11, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Enjoy live music from Beatles’ tribute band Across the Universe, food, and drink service in the Zoo’s Interactive Play Fountain area at Roar & Pour on October 11. Guests can expect up-close animal encounters and zookeeper talks. The Zoo will have some café tables and chairs in the Fountain area during the event, and guests are invited to bring folding lawn chairs for comfort while listening to bands.

Admission: Adult Non-Member (13 and older) $10, Adult Member (13 and older) $9, Child Non-Member (ages 3 through 12) $7, Child Member (ages 3 through 12) $6, Children under 3 are free. Admission prices start at 4:30 p.m. and live music begins at 5:30 p.m. Food and drinks are not included in the cost of admission.

Web link for more information: http://www.palmbeachzoo.org/roar-and-pour

Dropbox link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b55ez7kivoy85p8/AAADOSFZqfJ0uIjJvZSVZBHza

Boo at the Zoo: October 17 – 19, October 24 – 26, October 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 17, 24, 31, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. – The public is invited to have a howlin’ good time at Palm Beach County’s most-loved Halloween event: “Boo at the Zoo!” Guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, a decorate-your-own pumpkin patch, live music from a DJ in the Interactive Play Fountain area, giveaways, haystack hunt, face painting or airbrush tattoos, roving animal encounters, not-so-scary wildlife presentations and much more. The popular tradition continues this October at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation. The 17^th annual “Boo at the Zoo” will take place on the following dates and times:

· October 17 – 19, October 24 – 26 and October 31^st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

· Friday evenings on October 17^th, 24^th and 31^st from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

One way the Zoo is following its mission of environmental conservation is by only offering candy from companies that are a part of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). In addition to the stations presented by the Zoo, local businesses and organizations will be set up so children can trick-or-treat at the specific locations. Games, arts and crafts, a haystack hunt ($1 fee) and a child-friendly haunted house in the Florida Pioneer House will entertain young visitors. Children can also purchase a pumpkin to decorate on-site at a pumpkin patch. All funds raised will go toward the care and feeding of the Zoo’s animals. The Zoo is inviting local businesses and organizations to participate in “Boo at the Zoo.” For more information, vendors can email info@palmbeachzoo.org.

Web link to more information — http://www.palmbeachzoo.org/boo-at-the-zoo

Roar & Pour: Andrew Morris Band and a Tap Takeover by Cigar City Brewing: October 18, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Enjoy the country sounds of live music from Andrew Morris Band, food, and drink service including a Tap Takeover by Cigar City Brewing in the Zoo’s Interactive Play Fountain area at Roar & Pour on October 18. Guests can expect amazing up-close animal encounters and zookeeper talks. The Zoo will have some café tables and chairs in the Fountain area during the event, and guests are invited to bring folding lawn chairs for comfort while listening to bands.

Admission: Adult Non-Member (13 and older) $10, Adult Member (13 and older) $9, Child Non-Member (ages 3 through 12) $7, Child Member (ages 3 through 12) $6, Children under 3 are free. Admission prices start at 4:30 p.m. and live music begins at 5:30 p.m. Food and drinks are not included in the cost of admission.

Web link for more information: http://www.palmbeachzoo.org/roar-and-pour 

Roar & Pour: Wonderama: October 25, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Enjoy top 40 and greatest hits party music from Wonderama Band, food, and drink service in the Zoo’s Interactive Play Fountain area at Roar & Pour on October 18. Guests can expect amazing up-close animal encounters and zookeeper talks. The Zoo will have some café tables and chairs in the Fountain area during the event, and guests are invited to bring folding lawn chairs for comfort while listening to bands.

Admission: Adult Non-Member (13 and older) $10, Adult Member (13 and older) $9, Child Non-Member (ages 3 through 12) $7, Child Member (ages 3 through 12) $6, Children under 3 are free. Admission prices start at 4:30 p.m. and live music begins at 5:30 p.m. Food and drinks are not included in the cost of admission.

Web link for more information: http://www.palmbeachzoo.org/roar-and-pour 

About the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education and support of conservation initiatives in the field. Our commitment to sustainable business practices elevates our capacity to inspire others.

The Palm Beach Zoo is located at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.