Cleveland Zoo Continues Rocking the Summer with Twilight at the Zoo

I can’t believe summer is already halfway through. On the one hand, it’s mid-July and Labor Day feels like it’s around the corner. But then I also feel like the Cleveland Zoological Society’s ZippityZooDoo was just yesterday. Their annual summer kickoff was so much fun that it’ll be hard to forget any time soon.

As Scott and I walked into the Zoo on June 7, we were met with a landscape of blues, purples and greens. Giant (fake) peacocks were perched above on trapeze swings and sounds from The Orchestra welcomed us to the gorgeous patio party.

After we walked around and caught up with the animals, we enjoyed a dinner of watermelon and herbed feta salad, coffee-rubbed filet with roasted potatoes and vegetables, and a lemon almond terrine. I’m also stealing their crudite-in-a-cup idea for my next party.

Post-dinner we stalked a few silent auction items (a basket of bubbles had my name all over it) and danced a bit like fools (in only the best way!):

My favorite part, though, was the carousel-carving demonstration for the Zoo’s new Circle of Wildlife Carousel. The Mansfield, OH-based company Carousel Works – the world’s largest manufacturer of wooden carousels – is handcrafting a custom-designed carousel that’s coming to the Zoo next year.

I loved catching a peek at some of the beautiful and unique creatures that will be on the Carousel, like the giant squid they were carving at the demo.

If you missed ZippityZooDoo, don’t worry — the Cleveland Zoological Society’s next summer bash is only 2 weeks away.

From 7pm til midnight on August 2, the Zoo will host Twilight at the Zoo presented by SCENE Magazine.

It’s the 20th anniversary of the event which will feature 17 local bands ranging in style from funk to folk, rock to reggae:

• 1988 (80’s hair band)
• Almost Famous (pop/rock)
• Armstrong Bearcat (rock)
• SchoolGirl Crush (UPDATE: This band was added on 7/24)
• Craic (celtic rock)
• Disco Inferno (70’s & 80’s)
• Funkology (50’s, 60’s, & 70’s)
• Jah Messengers (reggae)
• Joe Bell & The Swing Lizards (swing & blues)
• Robbing Mary (country/rock)
• Run Avril Run (pop/dance)
• Shady Drive (blues/rock)
• Skin & Bones (rock/pop/old school rap & hip hop)
• The Madison Crawl (swing & jump blues)
• The Roadhouse Band (country/80’s rock)
• Velvet Shake (pop/dance)
• Wanted – Bon Jovi Tribute (bon jovi cover band)

Twilight at the Zoo general admission costs $80 and includes cover, light appetizers, complimentary Samuel Adams beer, Jacob’s Creek wine, Twisted Tea and soda.

VIP tickets are sold out but general admission is still available. Twilight at the Zoo sells out every year so be sure to scoop up the last of the tickets before it’s too late.

Purchase tickets and get info on hotel packages with the Airport Cleveland Marriott at www.clevelandzoosociety.org/events/2013/08/twilight-at-the-zoo

You can also keep track of updates about the event – like new bands and giveaways – at facebook.com/clevelandzoologicalsociety or by following the #TwilightAtTheZoo hashtag and @clevezoosociety.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend both ZippityZooDoo and Twilight at the Zoo in exchange for blogging about the events. My opinions of all events are my own.