Micke Grove Zoological Society hosts wild event
On Saturday evening, getting to see the wild residents of Micke Grove Zoo won’t be the only treat for visitors. Wine will flow, hors d’oeuvres will be sampled, and quiet music will accompany the delicious walk on the wild side.
The fourth annual Wild About Wine will take over the zoo that night for a good cause: supporting the zoo and its residents.
“We’re delighted because we have two new winery participants, Jessie’s Grove and Stama Winery,” said Linda Jimenez, the event’s organizer and a member of the zoological society.
They join returning favorites Dancing Coyote, Heritage Oak Winery, LangeTwins Family Winery, Pondl Winery and Weibel Family Vineyards.
There will also be a number of local caterers and restaurants offering tapas and other appetizers, Jimenez said.
“We want our guests to have an enjoyable evening not only tasting the fare from the restaurants and sampling wines from our wineries, but also getting an opportunity to view the animal collection,” Jimenez said.
Background harp, guitar and keyboard music accompanies the evening — nothing too wild here. The animals are the stars, and their comfort is important, Jimenez said.
“I always check with my zookeepers first. The entertainment we bring in doesn’t affect the animals at all,” she said.
Still, a few zoo residents — including the snow leopard — seem to enjoy the evening attention and party atmosphere.
The event is the first in a series of summertime gatherings to celebrate Micke Grove Zoo’s 60th anniversary.
Families will be invited to watch animal-themed movies — “Sing,” “The Jungle Book” (the new, live-action version) and “Zootopia” — at “Zoovie” nights throughout the summer. A big, public celebration will be held in the zoo and surrounding Micke Grove Park on Aug. 12 with plenty of family activities, and the popular Zoo Zoom 5K and Kids Run will make a return in September.
And, of course, some annual favorite events will return, too. Hallowild, with trick-ortreat and education stations, is a zoo favorite.
At Saturday’s Wild About Wine event, each guest will receive a commemorative wine glass etched with the 60th anniversary zoo logo to celebrate. They’ll also receive an anniversary snack tray, also imprinted with the special logo. They’ll be able to take both home.