Zoobilation, A Black Tie Fundraiser For Animal Conservation
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Siara Sparkman-ssparkman@timesuniononline.com
INDIANAPOLIS – On Friday, the Indianapolis Zoo unrolled orange carpets for nearly 5,000 guests to celebrate the biggest black tie and sold out fundraiser in Indiana, Zoobilation, presented by Indiana Power & Light Company. Friday was the 29th annual Zoobilation, an event the Indianapolis Zoo hosts for its guests by throwing a party with food, alcohol, animal chats and live entertainment. Zoobilation is a way for the community to get involved with celebrating the zoo and all of the funds raised through premium and general ticket sales go toward the care of the nearly 1,600 animals and 23,000 plants in the zoo’s care. Indianapolis Zoo Conservation Public Relations Specialist Melanie Laurendine said the funds raised aid animal and plant care and also are beneficial for the zoo’s worldwide conservation efforts. This was Laurendine’s third year working at Zoobilation and she said each year they try to incorporate a new theme. This year the theme was “Boomerang Bash,” because the zoo is celebrating the return of the koalas, which have been absent from the zoo since 2008. “Not only are people able to enjoy an evening out, but it is actually fulfilling an incredible purpose and makes it more worthwhile as a staff member and for any guest to say they were able to contribute to conservation in really unique and fun way,” she said. Each year, guests walk the orange carpet and walk into the zoo where food vendors prepare some samples from their restaurants throughout Central Indiana. This year guests were able to sample bite size samples of food from 70 restaurants and drink top shelf cocktails and wine from 13 bars in the area. At the end of the evening everyone can cast a vote for the “People’s Choice” award. This year, the winner was Blondie’s Cookies. There was also live music from nine local bands on four stages spread throughout the zoo. Laurendine said an event of such significance takes a very long and involved process to accomplish. She said there were 225 volunteers and staff who put in more than 800 hours to transform the zoo for the event and help to make it possible. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without our incredible volunteers and staff,” she said. “Zoobilation brings thousands of guests to the zoo each year and we want to make it as cool as possible.” She said this year the event offered a few new things for all of the guests to enjoy. Those attending were able to download a new app featuring a 17-page program, a map of the zoo, restaurant listings and entertainment schedules. Guests could also use this app to cast their peoples choice vote, and interact on social media using the hashtag #IndyZoob. Guests with premium passes also had the opportunity to enter the event at 5:30 p.m. before it was open for general admission at 7 p.m., and attend animal chats where they could see and learn more about the zoo’s parrots, Burmese python and Kangal shepherds from the zoo keepers. These guests also had access to the bourbon trail and wine tasting. Although most animals head inside before the party gets started, the event takes you along the zoo’s main pathways and across the bridge toward White River State Park. Laurendine said this event sells out in mere days, but this year, tickets were sold out in “record time.” All tickets went on sale in February. General admission tickets cost $250 for zoo members and $275 for non-members and premium experience tickets sold for $450 for members and $475 for non-members. She said last year, this event raised $2.1 million. The zoo will know how much is raised this year, later this week. She said Zoobilation is unlike any other event. “We not only have an impact on the Indianapolis community, but really have an impact on advancing animal conservation around the world,” she said. “To be a part of that is really exciting for guests.” At the end of the evening, many guests were seen walking out, many with high heels in hand as the party came to an end around midnight. After the party, all of the volunteers worked to clean the zoo to prepare it to reopen to the public at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. With Zoobilation finished for the year, Laurendine said they are busy planning for the upcoming summer concert series and many other events the rest of the year. “Nothing really compares to Zoobilation,” she said. “It’s Indianapolis’ party of the year and a great way to support animal conservation.”
