Teddy Bear Rally returns to Dickerson Park Zoo this year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – When Jennifer Elswick joined Mercy in 2001 and started helping plan the annual Teddy Bear Rally, it quickly became one of her favorite community events.
For more than two decades, Mercy and Dickerson Park Zoo co-hosted the event, which was a fun and interactive way for kids — and their teddy bears — to experience the zoo while also picking up health and safety tips from Mercy team members who patched up bruises, tears and minor injuries to the cherished bears, according to a Mercy press release.
'This event was always a huge draw for kids, and it was so much fun to participate in,' Elswick said in the release. 'I even brought my own kids when they were young, and it was just a joy to watch all these kiddos wander around the zoo with their teddy bears while our team taught them about everything from the importance of helmets to hand hygiene.'
Although the event was paused for several years, Mercy and Dickerson Park Zoo have brought the rally back to life. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
The release said visitors who bring a stuffed animal will get half off entrance at the zoo. No other discounts or coupons apply.
Sticking with Teddy Bear Rally's tradition, Mercy's Child Life team will host a teddy bear clinic where kids can become doctors to give their stuffed animals a much needed check up and fix any injuries, according to the release.
Additionally, several other departments from Mercy will join zoo team members at booths set up around the zoo where visitors can learn about healthcare needs of both humans and animals. The Mercy Kids ambulance will also be on site for kids who love to explore the vehicles used by first responders, per the release.
In 2006, more than 4,000 kids and their favorite teddy bears headed to Dickerson Park Zoo for the event. Now that the rally is back, the zoo and Mercy are ready to welcome kids and their favorite stuffed animals.
'We are so excited to team up with Mercy to bring back the Teddy Bear Rally,' said Joey Powell, PR/marketing and events director at Dickerson Park Zoo, in the release. 'Events are great opportunities to welcome more guests to the zoo, and partnering with Mercy on the Teddy Bear Rally is the perfect event to showcase the amazing way Mercy cares for our community and DPZ cares for animals.'
Between bandaging up their stuffed animals, checking out all the critters at the zoo and learning how to maintain their health, kids will have plenty of fun at the return of the Teddy Bear Rally.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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