Event Sponsorship Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in supporting your nonprofit Erie Zoo. Sponsorships and income from events such as these are a vital support to the daily operations and animal care at your community zoo. If you have any questions or interest, please contact our Events Manager Hali Hartley at hhartley@eriezoo.org or call Monday - Friday between 8am-4:30 pm at (814) 864-4091. She would be happy to set up a meeting or phone call with you as well! See list of opportunities below (please note, due dates are listed for each application, however all sponsorships are limited and first come first serve - we cannot guarantee openings at the due dates):
Major Fundraiser Events:
These events are the primary fundraisers for your zoo and held outside normal operating hours. Please note that some of them are for 21+. Sponsoring fundraisers like these are not only a great way to support your community zoo and receive a tax break, but also a fantastic way to provide extra perks to your company's partners and investors through tickets to some truly unique experiences! Please contact Hali with any additional questions (see contact above).
Glow Wild: Due Monday, March 31st
Experience something truly unforgettable in the Erie region! For nine weeks, the Erie Zoo will come alive with light and wonder during Glow Wild: Chinese Lantern Festival, produced by Hanart Culture. From April 17th to June 15th, join us every Thursday through Sunday from 6pm to 10pm to marvel at stunning, handcrafted lanterns inspired by your favorite zoo animals. This is the first event of its kind in the Erie region, offering a magical night of culture, creativity, and awe-inspiring artistry. Don't miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable experience!
2025 Glow Wild Sponsor Commitment Form
The Mane Event: Due Friday, May 9th
The Mane Event (formerly known as GalapaZOOza) is indeed the MANE event of the season at your Erie Zoo. This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 21st from 7pm-11pm and continue to feature local "grazing stations", "watering holes," a one-of-a kind Silent Auction, live entertainment, and animal encounters! (Please note, there may be some adaptations to animal encounters in light of current Covid-19 and HPAI safety protocols at the Zoo.) Tickets are limited this year and we expect them to sell out fast, so don't miss out! It is sure to be a night to remember! This event is a limited ticketed event for 1,300 people.
Mane Event Sponsorship Commitment Form
Felines & Wines: Due Monday, June 9th
Felines & Wines is entering into its fourth year as an adults only (21+) fundraiser at your Erie Zoo! This wine tasting event will take place on Saturday, August 9th from 6pm-9pm at your Erie Zoo. It will feature samples from local wineries, exclusive animal encounters, live music and more! We guarantee you will be feline grrreat by the end of this event! This event is a limited ticketed event to 1,300 people.
Felines and Wines Commitment Forms
Lions, Tigers & Beers: Due Monday, August 4th
Your Erie Zoo and Erie Beer Company are excited to once again bring you Lions, Tigers & Beers on Saturday, October 4th! A 21+ evening event where guests get to "trick-or-treat" for beer samples around the Zoo! VIP Hour will be from 5pm-6pm with general admission starting at 6pm. There will be Behind the Scenes animal tours, live local music, local food trucks (not included with admission), sample stations, and more! This is a limited ticketed event serving 1,300 people.
Lions, Tigers, and Beers Sponsorship Commitment Form
ZooBOO: Due Friday, August 15th
Every October it gets a little spoooky at your Eerie Zoo! Join us for one of the largest kid-friendly Halloween events in the tri-state area! ZooBOO will take place from October 16th - October 30th. Every night of ZooBOO is packed with scary, but not too scary Halloween family fun. There will be nightly activities, entertainment, rides, and dancing at DJ Bill Page's Spooky Jukebox! This is hands-down one of our most popular events seeing crowds of 30,000 - 40,000 annually depending on weather. There are sponsorship opportunities starting at just $500 all the way up to being one of the popular Trick-or-Treating Booth Sponsors at $3,500.
ZooBOO Commitment Form
Signature Seasonal Events
We host a variety of special events throughout our season for our members and visitors to participate in for free during their visit. It's a fantastic way to get your brand out there to a large group of people from our community, region, and tourists! We are always looking for ways to elevate our visitor experience while partnering with community businesses like yourself! See below a list of potential partnership and sponsorship opportunities and reach out to Hali (contact above) with any questions. We are always open to new and creative ideas as well! Please note, all spots are first come, first serve and this document may not be completely up-to-date at the time of your inquiry.