Latest news with #CentennialSaturdays
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Erie Zoo welcomes guests to kick off centennial season
It was a zoo-rific day at the Erie Zoo as they welcomed the public back onto the grounds. This is a day many people look forward to, including me! And this year's season is extra special. Q:'Did you know that today's their centennial celebration?' 'No, I did not,' said Marlene Jewell, a visitor. 'Do you know what that means?' 'No,' she answered. 'That means the zoo is celebrating 100 years!' 'Oh!' she said. 'Glow' wild at the Erie Zoo's Chinese lantern festival this spring It's sort of an unwritten rule in the Jewell household to come to the Erie Zoo for their grand re-opening at the beginning of each season. And the overnight snowfall and chilly temperatures didn't stop them from being one of the first to line gates before 10:00 a.m. 'We always have come here every year and honestly it's one of our traditions,' Jewell said. A tradition that Marlene and many other Erieittes look forward to every year. The Erie Zoo officially opened for the 2025 season, kicking off its centennial celebration. For their first day, they offered free admission along with food and beverages. All of this provided by UPMC Health Plan and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Mill Creek Coffee Company, and Mighty Fine Donuts. 'Megalodon' goldfish found at Presque Isle State Park 'We love seeing the guests come through the gates, the animals love interacting with people, especially our orangutans they love to interact and play and see people again,' said Roo Kojancie, president & CEO of the Erie Zoo For this milestone, the staff wanted to make sure this was an unforgettable season. One Saturday every month, the first 100 guests will receive a special surprise, they're calling this Centennial Saturdays. They will also be presenting Glow Wild, it's a Chinese lantern festival from April 17 until June 15, illuminating every Thursday through Sunday evening. Glow Wild is the region's first-ever Chinese lantern festival that Kojancie said they have been wanting to bring to the zoo for the last few years. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'We're bringing it in the springtime season and erie tends to seem a little bit quieter around that time of year so this is a really great way to engage and really promote tourism in the area,' she said. On top of all the exciting things happening during their 100th year, construction is scheduled to be completed for their renovated red panda habitat and the viewing area for the African painted dog. Kojancie explained they're making strides to regain accreditation from the association of zoos and aquariums after losing it in November of 2021. 'You might have seen the support letter than came the president of aza really commending us on our efforts as we work very diligently to regain accreditation,' she said. The president also added that this season will be full of exciting new memories and reflections of the years gone by. Prayer gathering in support of Ukraine held in Perry Square Saturday And even though our friend Marlene was completely shocked by the zoo's age, she's looking forward to spending the rest of the season on the grounds along with every other zoo lover. 'It's really fun,' Jewell went on to say. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Erie Zoo ready to open their gates for 100th year
The Erie Zoo will be re-opening their gates to the public this weekend to kick off a milestone year! For their centennial celebration, the Erie Zoo will be offering free admission this Saturday, March 1 for their first day of the season. The grounds will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with special activities until 2 p.m along with free coffee and donuts. 'Glow' wild at the Erie Zoo's Chinese lantern festival this spring Construction is scheduled to be completed this spring on their renovated red panda habitat and their viewing area for the African painted dog. President & CEO Roo Kojancie said they have a lot of special plans for their 100th year. Erie County League of Women Voters holds annual forum event 'We have Glow Wild which is the first ever Chinese lantern festival to come to the Erie region. We are so thrilled to bring this to Erie,' she said. 'We are also doing something really fun this year called Centennial Saturdays so that is one Saturday a month the first 100 guests that come through our gates will get a special surprise.' Free admission is made possible by UPMC Health Plan and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
