FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                              August 11, 2009

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS AT THE OKC ZOO

CONTACTS:             

Tara Henson (405) 425-0219, (405) 919-9038, cell or thenson@okczoo.com

Candice Rennels (405) 425-0298, (405) 412-6172, cell or crennels@okczoo.com

AUGUST                    WAY BACK WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays are outta sight during the Zoo’s Way Back Wednesdays!  Every Wednesday in August, take advantage of this dynamite deal and receive admission for $.75 per person!  Boogie on with $.75 concession specials including a small fountain drink, small popcorn, small kettle corn or regular hot dog each only $.75.  Plus, adults pay child admission on all rides and admission to the sea lion show on Way Back Wednesdays. These primo prices are valid on Wednesdays in August only and may not be combined with any other offer.

AUGUST 1-16            MORNING ZOO RISE

Enjoy a refreshing morning visit as the Zoo opens daily at 8 a.m. now through August 16! 

AUGUST 1-14            OZS CAPTURE THE WILD PHOTO CONTEST

Capture the Wild and enter your Oklahoma City Zoo photos in OZS ZooFriends’ annual photo contest. Through August 14, submit your photos to the ZooFriends office located at the Zoo’s main entrance for a chance to have your entries featured in the 2010 ZooFriends calendar. All submitted photos must be of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s animals or grounds. Winners will be announced Sunday, August 23. For more information, contact ZooFriends at (405) 427-2461 or visit www.zoofriends.org.

SEPTEMBER             FAMILY PROGRAMS

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s Education Department offers a variety of programs that provide families with a unique and wild way to spend time together. These monthly programs are themed to entertain both children and adults alike. Cost per person is $15 for members or $18 for non-members. Pre-registration is required at least a week in advance and may be done by calling (405) 425-0218 or online at http://okczoo.recware.com. Visit www.zoofieldtrips.com to learn more.

SEPTEMBER             MONARCH MIGRATION: ON A WING AND A PRAYER

Monarch butterflies will soon be on the move! Traveling incredible distances every fall monarchs migrate south, facing challenges along the way. The amazing question is how? Flutter by the Oklahoma City Zoo this fall to learn more about these winged wonders at the following locations:

• The Zoo’s Butterfly Garden–open daily and located along the Zoo’s lakeside.
• Flowers in Flight–the Zoo’s indoor butterfly habitat open daily through September 7.
• The Zoo’s butterfly booth at this year’s Wildlife Expo held at the Lazy E Arena September 25-27. 

SEPTEMBER 10        OKLAHOMA CITY’S ADVENTURE DISTRICT TEACHERS’ SNEAK PEEK

Calling all teachers and principals! You’re invited to get a Sneak Peek in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District on Thursday, September 10. Come and go between 3 to 7 p.m. and visit four Adventure District locations to learn about educational programs and speak with representatives about educational resources. Participating locations include National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden, Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum and Remington Park. Visit all four locations to be eligible to win prizes including free field trips, attraction memberships and more! Also receive free refreshments and supplies for your students and classroom at each participating location. Pre-register at www.okcadventure.com. Certificates of attendance will be provided. Check with your school district about the possibility of professional development points. For more information call (405) 290-PLAY.

SEPTEMBER 12        GADZOOKS: GET READY AND DRAW!

Sharpen your drawing pencils and get ready to create wild masterpieces. The Oklahoma City Zoo is the perfect place to explore and expand your artistic talents. Join local artist Lance Kelly on a journey to learn techniques for drawing wildlife. This program is a series of monthly classes that focus on different animals each month. Classes take place on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. beginning September 12. Cost per person for all four classes is $80 for members and $90 for non-members. Cost per person for individual classes is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Pencil and paper are provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera to capture images of subjects for drawing practice at home.  To view class dates and learn more about this program visit www.zoofieldtrips.com. Register online at http://okczoo.recware.com or by phone at (405) 425-0218.

SEPTEMBER 13        GRANDPARENT’S DAY

In honor of Grandparent’s Day, guests ages 55 and older will receive free admission with the purchase of any child admission on Sunday, September 13. Child admission is $4 for ages three-11. This discount is not valid with any other offer. Happy Grandparent’s Day!

SEPTEMBER 25        OZS FAMILY FUN NIGHT

OZS ZooFriends is hosting a Family Fun Night at the Oklahoma City Zoo on Friday, September 25 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. ZooFriends and their families are invited to this special evening at the Zoo. Attendees will enjoy zoo keeper chats, a special meal deal, live entertainment and more! Family Fun Night is a great way to share the Zoo with friends as well. Guests are permitted to attend with members at $7 per adult and $4 per child. Families wishing to purchase memberships at the gate will be admitted to Family Fun Night at no extra charge. For more information, call ZooFriends at (405) 427-2461.

SEPTEMBER 26        ZOORIFIC DAY OF CHARACTER

Character Council of Central Oklahoma invites you to the Oklahoma City Zoo on Saturday, September 26 for this year’s Zoorific Day of Character. This “zoorific” event promises hands-on fun for everyone. Event activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a scavenger hunt with prizes, games, giveaways and more. Participants will enjoy learning about exemplifying good character in their lives as illustrated by the animal world. Stop by Character Council’s booth located outside the Zoo’s entrance and receive a coupon for discounted child and adult admission into the Zoo that day. Plus, participating children will receive a free event T-shirt. Discounted coupons and event T-shirts are available while supplies last.

SEPTEMBER 26        CHILDREN’S ZOO SNEAK PEEK PROGRAM

Excitement at the Oklahoma City Zoo is building as construction of our new Children’s Zoo progresses, and we want to share our enthusiasm with you! Get the inside scoop on the Zoo’s newest project and attend the Children’s Zoo Sneak Peek program on Saturday, September 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Hosted by the Education Department participants will be able to view architectural drawings and tour the construction site. The site is under construction and not yet ADA compliant. Participants must be 16 or older to attend and are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes. The cost per person is $15 for members and $18 for non-members. Register online at http://okczoo.recware.com or by phone at (405) 425-0218.

October Happenings…

• 01-11: Annual Pumpkin Drive
• 04: Pistol Pete’s Birthday Celebration
• 10: Garden Gala
• 12: Gorilla Golf
• 26-31: 26^th annual Haunt the Zoo for Halloween

Visit the Oklahoma City Zoo today, Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and one of the top three family-friendly zoos in the nation. Located at NE 52^nd and Martin Luther King Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111, in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, the Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with exhibit buildings closing at 4:45 p.m. Now through August 16, Zoo gates open at 8 a.m. for Morning Zoo Rise and through September, the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays with exhibit buildings closing at 7:45 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three to 11 and seniors ages 65 and older. Children two and under are free.  For more information, call (405) 424-3344 or visit www.okczoo.com.

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