We all have venues that we admire for their professionalism, creativity and commitment to staying relevant. High on my Venues that Never Fail to Impress Me list is the Detroit Zoo.
On several fronts, the Detroit Zoo is a national leader. It was the first zoo in the country to close its elephant exhibit on humane grounds; its green efforts win a steady stream of awards; and new, multi-million dollar exhibits seem to open every year.
The zoo, it must be remembered, nearly got sold out from underneath itself a few years back, when the city of Detroit was trying to find some cash and turned its eyes to the zoo’s land. Instead, the voters of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb agreed to take over the zoo’s financing and fund the zoo through a millage.
Nonetheless, the zoo’s financial needs can’t be met by the millage alone. Tickets prices and memberships contribute a share – but the zoo has done a great job of keeping prices, especially memberships, reasonable. (As an example, a year-long membership for a family of three – which lets you in the door every day of the year if you wish – costs just $12 more than the price of one entry for the same family to the new Sea Life Michigan Aquarium.)
The zoo (or, to be specific, the non-profit organization that runs the zoo), needs to raise money to fund its operations and expansions – a lot of money, on a continual basis. One of the things that impresses me is how creative the zoo is about doing so. Though it’s a venue primarily aimed at kids, the zoo regularly creates appealing events that lure in adults. And, of course, the zoo’s family-oriented events, like Zoo Boo and Wild Lights, are hot tickets every year.
A full list of upcoming zoo events can be found here. Here are a few that look especially fun in the coming months, especially for the grown-ups. Try to make at least one – you’ll have a great time and be supporting a stellar institution.
Zoo Brew, May 7 and Sept. 24: Zoo Brew will feature beers from Michigan craft breweries, live music and food. Attendees will have access to zoo habitats until twilight, and to zookeeper talks.
Sunset at the Zoo, June 12: Planned as a celebration of the under-construction Polk Penguin Conservation Center, the gala Sunset at the Zoo includes a strolling supper and desserts served by more than 40 of metro Detroit’s top restaurants, plus specialty drinks, hosted bars, live entertainment and dancing under the stars.
Zoomance, July 9: This adults-only event aims at reconnecting the grown-ups with their childhood love of the zoo. Zoomance features cash bars, tram tours, zookeeper talks, live music and rides on the Tauber Family Railroad, and the chance to stroll the zoo until twilight.
Wild Beasts, Wild Wine, July 31: Guests can sample wine from more than 40 local and national wineries and vineyards while enjoying live music, zookeeper talks and access to the zoo’s habitats until twilight. In a nice touch, special designated-driver tickets, which include unlimited soft drinks, are also available.
