There's So Much To Do at the Erie Zoo
If you’re local to the Erie region or live in the surrounding areas where we experience all four seasons, you can resonate with the fact that May is when things finally start to come alive after our long, cold, winters. Spring, as many of us have experienced, is a turbulent time of both beautiful days and flashbacks to the chilling months that we will soon leave behind. Here at the Erie Zoo, May is the month when our beautiful flowers take to blooming, our wintering animals start to explore their outdoor habitats once again, and our visitors take to the grounds.
This month is also when our event season starts to rev up! After celebrating our Grand Re-Opening Day and our Spring EggVenture, May continues the event season and launches us into our busiest season of the calendar year! Early this month, stop in to celebrate one of the largest land mammals in the world, our southern white rhinos, Bill and Bumper! Save the Rhino Day is celebrated on May 6th from 10 AM-2 PM and there will be lots to learn about these amazing creatures!
Did you know? The Erie Zoo is one of the only zoos nationwide that hold the range and frequency of events that we do. In our 8-month long season you can attend up to 40 events that are put on by our team. The Zoo offers a wide variety of events to attend such as a high-end gala, education-driven family-friendly events, conservation-minded events, and 21+ events to name a few.
This season is full of the events that you have loved for years, such as Equipment Day, The Mane Event, Snack Safari, Senior Citizens Day, and Lions, Tigers, and Beers. It will also feature events that we have revamped in the past. For example, Party for the Planet, which has been a conservation, eco-minded event for years has grown dramatically from years in the past. Join us on May 20th to “party” for all the endangered species, and celebrate the earth and its oceans! This event is more community based than ever, so discover what local environmentally-focused organizations are doing, like Presque Isle State Park, Asbury Woods, TREX Recycling, GroundWorks Erie, and more! This is a great way to enjoy the day, learn something new, and take part in the community.
There are even NEW events at the Erie Zoo this year, such as our new series Movement Mondays, presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield! Twice each month in June through August the zoo will be hosting an evening of yoga classes. Choose from 4 different classes each session to find yourself doing the downward dog with a lion! Tickets go on sale next week, so be sure you don’t miss this unique experience. The Zoo is also hosting its second year of Felines and Wines, a one-of-a-kind wine-tasting event where you get to sample local wines made in our region, shop local creations, and learn about the big cats of the Erie Zoo! This event is 21+ and tickets will go on sale July 7th.
The Flo Fabrizio Ice Center, owned and operated by the Erie Zoo, is also taking on its own events throughout the spring and summer months! When the ice isn’t on the rink, the ice center hosts The Glenwood Flea. This is a unique indoor shopping experience, made up of local artisans, second-hand goods, and crafty creations that you have got to check out! Shop locally-made and sourced goods that benefit the Erie Zoo!
Each year the Erie Zoo works to improve our events and the experience of our visitors, and we are excited to bring the Erie community a robust listing of events to look forward to at your zoo this 2023 season! If you are looking to participate in the zoo’s events this season, please visit our event listings at eriezoo.org/events for more information and to plan your trips to the zoo this season.