News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
October 5, 2018
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Brookfield Zoo Gears Up for the Holiday Season with Annual Tree Trim

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            Brookfield, Ill. – Local community groups and companies can join in the holiday spirit at Brookfield Zoo by participating in its annual Tree Trim on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Celebrating its 37th year, the event, presented by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and sponsored by Target, attracts more than 500 Chicagoland-area organizations that come out to the zoo to decorate holiday trees on the zoo’s malls and around Roosevelt Fountain in preparation for its annual Holiday Magic.

Community groups, including scout troops, libraries, churches, schools, clubs, and even individual families can sponsor a tree for $160. The cost includes 20 admission and five parking passes, a fully LED-lit tree, and signage featuring the group’s town and the names of those who decorated and donated the tree.

Additionally, companies can show their hard-working staff how much their efforts are appreciated by gathering at Brookfield Zoo for a family-friendly outing to decorate a corporate tree. By sponsoring a tree, employees can share the joys of the holiday season together. Plus, a company-themed tree and season’s greetings message will be viewed by the nearly 100,000 guests who visit the zoo for Holiday Magic in December. Corporate trees, which are prominently located around Roosevelt Fountain, are $500 and include, 30 admission and 10 parking passes, a fully LED-lit 10-foot tree, and signage featuring company logo and/or name.

Ornament makers should remember that ornaments will need to withstand Chicago’s wintry weather. The zoo recommends that they be painted, varnished, shellacked, or laminated (water-soluble glue is not recommended). Also, keep in mind the health and safety of the animals when making ornaments. Use animal-safe items such as Popsicle sticks, laminated paper, Styrofoam balls, plastic needlepoint, strung beads, soda cans, wood items, or plastic containers. Do not use food items, sharp objects, straws, glass/breakable materials, or tinsel. Hang ornaments with string or yarn (no wire or pipe cleaners). For a complete list of guidelines and creative ideas, visit CZS.org/TreeTrim.

Both community groups and companies can purchase additional discounted admission tickets in advance for $10 each. They are valid for adults and children/seniors and are good only on November 17 and 18. Discounted tickets are available online through Friday, November 16.

To remember your day at the zoo, a 2018 Tree Trim commemorative patch is available for purchase online and may be picked up at the zoo’s Wildlife Trading Post’s gift shop between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Tree Trim days.

For questions regarding Tree Trim, please email Tree.Trim@CZS.org. Trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a community or corporate tree as well as to purchase extra tickets for Tree Trim day and commemorative patches, go to CZS.org/TreeTrim.

With the community trees lining the zoo’s malls and the corporate trees displayed around Roosevelt Fountain, Brookfield Zoo will come to life with more than one million LED twinkling lights during Holiday Magic presented by ComEd and Meijer. Held on Saturdays and Sundays, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23, as well as December 26-31, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., Holiday Magic activities also feature a nearly 20-foot-tall lit orb guests can walk through, ice-sculpting demonstrations, magic shows, live entertainment in the Holly Jolly Theater sponsored by The New Metro by T-Mobile, spectacular light displays, the ever-popular Talking Tree, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus (through December 23), a model train display, singing to the animals with carolers, animal zoo chats, and the new Chicago Wolves Skating Rink, which will be open during regular zoo hours beginning November 3 as well as on Holiday Magic evenings.
 
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About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located at 8400 31stStreet in Brookfield, Illinois, 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. For further information, visit CZS.org.
 
 
 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sondra Katzen
Media Relations Manager
Office: 708-688-8351
Cell Phone: 708-903-2071
E-mail: Sondra.Katzen@CZS.org

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