News Release
April 21, 2009
Contact: Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Note: Click here to download images of Party for the Planet activities at Brookfield Zoo.
3rd Annual Party for the Planet at Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield, IL—Every day is Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo, but a very special one will be the Party for the Planet celebration, sponsored by Fisher-Price® and Thermos® on Sunday, May 3. The treemendous event will provide educational fun for the entire family and will have everyone thinking “green” with live Earth-themed music, crafts for kids, and much more!
An Earth Day extravaganza like Party for the Planet would not be complete without a few Fisher-Price® Planet Heroes™ characters. Working to save the world from the powerful Black Hole “Professor of Darkness”TM, “Ace”TM from Planet Earth and “Digger”TM from Planet Mars are two heroes who strive to protect their environment. Digger and Ace characters will be available for photo opportunities throughout the day’s festivities.
What better way to celebrate the planet than spending time outdoors. Zoogoers can look high in the sky to watch professionals demonstrating their skills during a Kite Fest from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the East Mall. Representatives from Chicago Kite will be flying 2-line and 4-line stunt kites as well as have a variety of kites, including 2-line steerable kites, garden spinners, and sports kites, available for purchase.
Guests can stroll over to the zoo’s Nature Stage to enjoy live children’s entertainment. Beginning at 11:00 a.m., Katie Klatt-Bowen will present Storybook Yoga, an interactive and fun program that introduces children to yoga poses, meditation, and movement through the wonder of storybooks. Next, at 1:00 p.m., 3rd grade school teacher Suzanne Dicker will take the stage to present “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Show,” an exciting magic performance that teaches the importance of protecting the environment and conveys the necessity of the three Rs through captivating magic tricks, lively dances, and humor. Green E, The Environmental Elvis, returns to the zoo for a performance at 2:00 p.m. that will feature Elvis Presley-inspired music from the ‘60s and ‘70s, including “Are You Recycling Tonight” and “Viva Falafel.” Finally, Ricky Recycle will create energetic music at 3:00 p.m. performing songs about ways to reduce waste, do's and don'ts of recycling, and preserving natural resources.
Just like taking care of the environment, taking care of oneself is important too. Youngsters will be able to enjoy an entertaining and educational performance about oral hygiene from Delta Dental of Illinois’ Tooth Wizard and PlaqueMan, stars of the "Land of Smiles" show, at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on The Carousel Plaza.
From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., kids of all ages can participate in Earth-themed activities and games at Hamill Family Play Zoo (admission is free on May 3). Children will be delighted with the opportunity to make creative nature journals that they can take home. Also, every hour on the hour, young guests can discover how to conserve water and energy by participating in a scavenger hunt. And in the Play Zoo’s backyard area, kids can meet Mother Earth (until 3:00 p.m.) and learn about composting. In addition, in the Play Zoo’s Greenhouse, youngsters can plant acorns in take-home containers and receive tree saplings to take home (both while supplies last).
Joining in the celebration are representatives from Thermos, who will be hosting a giveaway that offers zoogoers the chance to win reusable, BPA-free hydration bottles for the entire family. In addition, families will have the opportunity to get hands-on education about Thermos’ support of the global water crisis at their “water walk” display.
Additional activities include an 11:00 a.m. tree-planting ceremony near Perching Bird House, tours of the zoo’s odorless compost facility (board the Poop Tram at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at the east end of Pachyderm House), writing Earth Day resolutions in chalk on The Carousel Plaza, and bird watching on the North Mall.
As visitors enter the zoo, they will receive information detailing all of the Party for the Planet activities. In addition, the complete schedule is posted on the zoo’s Web site, www.CZS.org. Activities are free with regular zoo admission of $12 for adults and $8 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and over. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $8. Brookfield Zoo’s Party for the Planet is sponsored in part by Fisher-Price®, Thermos, and American Airlines.
Celebrating its 75th year, the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.
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