MAYOR LEPPERT TO HOST “GIRAFFES, MONKEYS & LEPPERTS” CELEBRATION AT DALLAS ZOO JUNE 5TH
MAYOR LEPPERT TO HOST “GIRAFFES, MONKEYS & LEPPERTS” CELEBRATION
AT DALLAS ZOO NORTH FRIDAY, JUNE 5 FROM 6 – 9 PM.
Dallas citizens and families encouraged to attend;
Mayor Leppert to cut “early birthday cake” at 7:30 p.m.
DALLAS (May 18, 2009) – Almost two years to the day from the 2007 Dallas mayoral election, Mayor Tom Leppert will host “Giraffes, Monkeys & Lepperts — An Evening with the Mayor” at Dallas Zoo North, on Friday (June 5) from 6 – 9 p.m. Dallas citizens and families are invited. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 3 and over, and free for children under 3. Attire is “safari casual.”
General activities are from 6 – 9 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Mayor Leppert’s birthday – which is June 5 — will be celebrated early with free birthday cake served to the first 1,000 people. At that time, he will also deliver brief remarks.
The celebration event comes after a jam-packed year for Mayor Leppert – highlights include violent crime is down by 11% and overall crime is down almost 14%. AT&T and other firms were brought to Downtown Dallas, and new plant facilities opened and jobs were created in southern Dallas. The new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts is almost complete, and work has begun on the deck park over the Woodall Rogers Freeway. Dallas is on its way to becoming one of the greenest cities in America. And in 2008, the Dallas Zoo enjoyed its best year ever with 650,000 visitors. Also, work is underway on the new African Savannah for elephants and giraffes.
“Thanks to the support and hard work of countless people, businesses and organizations, we have lots of reasons to celebrate,” said Mayor Leppert. “We’ve tackled tough issues; now it’s time to lighten up!”
The “Giraffes, Monkey & Lepperts” event is family-friendly evening that will feature three entertainment areas. Guests are encouraged to “take a safari” through Zoo North (the best time to see the tiger, cheetah, tamarins and rhinos before their 7:45 p.m. bedtime!).
The free kids activities – located in the “Entertain Your Herd” area – include face painting, magical acts, caricature artists, crafts for kids (inside the Discovery House), games, bounce house and obstacle course, butterfly exhibit, musical performances, “touch and feel” animals, free photos by the Flamingo Pond, carousel rides and more.
Entertainment includes music by Havana NRG, percussionist Mark Shelton and steel drummer Steve MacDonald.
The “Feeding Trough” will feature a variety of Zoo concessions, like burgers, hot dogs, salads and ice cream, or guests may bring their own picnic to enjoy in the park.
The “Take A Safari” area features the Otter Outpost, the Endangered Tiger Habitat, Bug U, Wings of Wonder, Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit, the new “Ghosts from the Bayou” exhibit in the Bird & Reptile Building, Cheetahs on the Hill, the Primate Place and the Tamarin Treetops.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the event should call 214-871-0783 or send an email to agibbons@thereedsprc.com.
Zoo North at the Dallas Zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. Parking is free. No glass containers or alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Sponsors as of May 12, 2009 include: Leppert Tamer sponsor, at the $5,000 level, are Mr. & Mrs. Peter O’Donnell, Jr. Top Banana sponsors, at $2,500 level, are Louis A. Beecherl, Jr., Mary Mc Dermott Cook, and Alice and Earl Nye. Zoo Keeper Sponsors, at the $1,000 level are Ka and L.L. Cotter, H.J. Russell & Company, William H. Hornberger, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Ku, Bobby Lyle, Harold and Cathy MacDowell, Matthews Southwest, Mike and Mary Terry and Winstead PC. Children’s activities are provided by Rainbow Entertainment.
For details and tickets, go to www.giraffesmonkeysandlepperts.com or call 214-871-3028. Ticket purchases may be made online though midnight on Thursday, June 4. Tickets also may be purchased at the door the night of the event (only credit cards and checks will be accepted – NO CASH).
CONTACT:
Becky Mayad 214.352.1881
Cell 214.697.7745
