News Release
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
January 23, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Note: Images of any of the events listed below are available by calling the Chicago Zoological Society’s Public Relations Department at (708) 688-8351 or emailing sondra.katzen@czs.org.
Brookfield Zoo’s Calendar of Events (January – June 2019)
Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest
February 23 (Saturday)
Come out of your winter hibernation and warm up at Brookfield Zoo’s Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest on Saturday, February 23, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The 21-and-over-only event features more than 30 seasonal wines and whiskeys accompanied with hors d'oeuvres. Adding to the ambience will be live entertainment provided by the local band Red Carpet Riot. Additionally throughout the fun-filled evening, guests will have the opportunity to meet several of the zoo’s animal ambassadors. Space is limited. The cost is $85.00, which includes a commemorative 5 oz. glass to sample wines and whiskeys and admission to the zoo for the entire day—come early and enjoy seeing your favorite animals too! A designated driver ticket is also available for $45 that includes free admission to the zoo and unlimited soft drinks. For additional information and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
Valentine’s Dinner
February 9
If your past Valentine’s dinner plans have had a serious lack of adventure let Brookfield Zoo make all the arrangements for you at a very special celebration! The romantic evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception amidst the giraffes in Habitat Africa! The Savannah. Afterwards, diners will be transported to the romantic setting at Bocaditos restaurant for a delectable four-course meal featuring filet mignon and lobster. Full bar service is included, and musical entertainment will be provided. The cost is $230 per couple. Seating is limited. For more information and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
Zoo Goes Blue for Autism
April 6 (Saturday)
Brookfield Zoo is collaborating with Autism Speaks to take part in the annual Zoos Goes Blue campaign. The event takes place at select Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facilities across North America during World Autism Awareness Month. To commemorate the day, the zoo’s iconic lion statues will be clothed in blue scarves and blue flags will decorate the park’s grounds. Throughout the day, special Zoo Goes Blue activities will be taking place for families with children on the autism spectrum, including a quiet hour on the Carousel, a sensory-friendly Dolphins in Action presentation, and special animal Zoo Chats. For more information, call (708) 688-8000.
Ape Awareness Weekend
April 6-7 (Saturday-Sunday)
Quit monkeying around and swing over to Brookfield Zoo to hang out with the apes that live in the zoo’s Tropic World—orangutans, western lowland gorillas, and white-cheeked gibbons. The event will feature special Zoo Chats about each of the species, as well as ape-related activities that are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Everyone can make a difference for apes in the wild, and zoogoers will hear firsthand how they can help. For more information, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
Breakfast with the Bunny
April 13-14, 20 (Saturdays and Sunday)
Hop to it and join family and friends at Brookfield Zoo for its annual Breakfast with the Bunny. An all-you-can-eat buffet, held in the zoo’s Discovery Center, will feature a special appearance from costumed characters Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who will be available for photo opportunities. In addition, there will be live musical entertainment. Seatings are offered at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Pricing is $29.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and under eat for free. Seatings are limited, and reservations are required. For further information or to purchase tickets, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
Easter Brunch
April 21 (Sunday)
Bring the family to Brookfield Zoo for a delectable all-you-can-eat Easter brunch that is sure to satisfy even the largest of appetites. The buffet menu features a wide variety of items, including omelets, carving stations with accompaniments, seafood, a delectable sweet table, and much more. Joining in the festivities will be costumed characters Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who will be on hand for photo opportunities, as well as live musical entertainment. Brunch seatings are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and reservations are required. The cost is $42.95 for adults and $32.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and under attend for free. For further information or to purchase tickets, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
Party for the Planet
April 14 (Sunday)
Looking for some “down-to-earth” fun? Head over to Brookfield Zoo for its annual Party for the Planet celebration, presented by energySMART, a Nicor Gas program. Learn about the different ways you can make earth-friendly choices such as conserving energy, riding a bike, or recycling, all of which can have a positive impact on the planet. During this fun-filled family event, participate in green-themed craft activities, help staff plant flowers and a tree, visit with representatives at the Eco Expo, and find about the animals at special Zoo Chats. In addition, representatives from several recycling organizations will be onsite collecting items from zoogoers. For more information and a full list of recyclable items, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
The Whirl
April 27 (Saturday)
The Women’s Board and Board of Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society are hosting the 38th annual Whirl fund-raising gala at Brookfield Zoo. This year’s black-tie event will highlight the 100th anniversary of the land donation to the Forest Preserves of Cook County for the express purpose of creating a modern zoo. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour featuring opportunities for up-close experiences with the zoo’s animal ambassadors. Dinner and dancing will follow. The evening also features a raffle, live auction, and paddle raise. Proceeds support the animals at Brookfield Zoo, as well as the Society’s conservation, education, and research programs. Tickets are $700 per person; tables of 10 also are available. For reservations and further information, visit pjhchicago.com/event/zoo or call (312) 553-2000 or (708) 688-8393.
World Penguin Day
April 27 (Saturday)
Waddle over to Brookfield Zoo and celebrate World Penguin Day. The fun-filled event will feature activities for the entire family between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at The Living Coast. Zoogoers can attend special Zoo Chats to learn about the zoo’s Humboldt penguin colonies, partake in penguin-themed activities and crafts, and meet a few of the fine-feathered birds up close. For further information, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
Brick Safari (new temporary exhibit)
May 11 – September 29
The first-ever safari — Brick Safari that is – is coming to Brookfield Zoo in summer 2019. Beginning Saturday, May 11, and continuing through September 29, more than 40 life-size animal sculptures will be swimming, stampeding and flying into Brookfield Zoo. From a roaring tiger and a leaping dolphin to a lounging leopard, these are all animals guests can see in an entirely different way. Created from millions of individual LEGO ® bricks, the never-before-seen-in-North-America sculptures will amaze kids, those young at heart, and Adult Fans of LEGO® (AFOL). You might even spot an elephant with his trunk held high or a silverback gorilla watching the crowd. A separate admission to Brick Safari is $5 for adults and $3 for children 3-11. Children 2 and under are free. For further information, visit CZS.org/BrickSafari.
Mother’s Day Brunch
May 12 (Sunday)
Spending quality time with mom on her special day is all she needs. So, head to Brookfield Zoo and enjoy a special Mother’s Day brunch featuring cooked to order eggs, a carving station and accompaniments, a scrumptious sweet table, and much more. Champagne and other beverages will be served tableside. Two seatings are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Afterwards take mom on a walk through the zoo to see her favorite animals. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Pricing is $42.95 for adults and $32.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and under eat for free. For further information and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
Roars and Pours
May 18 (Saturday)
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or novice, Brookfield Zoo’s inaugural Roars and Pours offers a unique opportunity to sample wines from around the world. This new 21-and-over-only event, which takes place from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., gives guests the chance to come early and visit with their favorite animals and then venture over to the Pavilions to sample more than 30 wines. There will also be opportunities to have up-close experiences with several of the zoo’s animal ambassadors. For additional information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
Bear Awareness Weekend
May 19-20
If you can’t “bear” the thought of missing a weekend of fun-filled activities, come to Brookfield Zoo’s annual Bear Awareness Weekend. Guests of all ages can attend special Zoo Chats about the zoo’s three species of bears—grizzly, polar, and sloth—and find out what challenges they face in the wild, as well as what conservation efforts are taking place to help wild bear populations. The zoo’s volunteers will have exploration carts featuring a variety of bear artifacts for guests to touch. At Hamill Family Play Zoo (additional fee applies), youngsters can partake in bear-themed crafts. For further information, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
Father’s Day BBQ
June 16 (Sunday)
Bring your dad to Brookfield Zoo this Father’s Day for an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet and then spend time visiting his favorite animals. The barbecue, which begins at noon in the Pavilions, will feature a day of fun and an a extensive menu, including slow-roasted strip loin, carved to order, mashed potatoes, baby back ribs, corn-on-the-cob, grilled vegetables, and homemade apple cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. An interactive DJ will provide added entertainment. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Pricing is $49 for adults and $29 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and under eat for free. For further information and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
Brookfield Zoo, located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Ill., is open every day of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (indoor animal exhibits close a half hour before the zoo closes).
Admission is $21.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Admission to the zoo is free on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in January and February and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October through December.
From early spring through late fall, Brookfield Zoo offers general zoo admission plus attraction packages at discounted rates. Group rates also are available to groups of 20 or more. For information on group rates, call (708) 688-8431.
Parking is $14 for cars and $20 for buses. (A Cook County parking tax is included).
For more details on admission packages, pricing, or to pre-purchase tickets or memberships, go to CZS.org.
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About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people 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 31st Street 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.