Don’t miss the most fun day of the year at the Great Plains Zoo

This paid event listing is sponsored by the Great Plains Zoo.

If you choose one day this year to visit the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum, this Saturday, June 25, should be it.

The annual Zippity Zoo Day is sure to make your visit even more memorable, with up-close animal experiences and fun everywhere you look.

“Zippity Zoo Day is meant to feel like the greatest, most fun day ever at the zoo,” said Denise DePaolo, director of public relations and engagement.

“You’ll have all the fun of a typical summer weekend – the most animals out on exhibit, zookeeper chats, Creature Features, giraffe feeding, plus inflatables, lawn games, face painting, a juggler in the morning, bubbles, chalk in the plaza, a photo station and some fun surprises.”

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota also will be providing giant yard games.

Zippity Zoo Day uses special event pricing, which also gives unlimited access to an obstacle course, bounce house and all games. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some of the special animal opportunities you’ll discover include a brown bear zookeeper chat at 11:30 a.m., Create Features at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the plaza, giraffe feeding at 11 a.m. where guests can purchase bundles of kale, and a Komodo dragon zookeeper chat at 2:30 p.m.

“Some of these activities are weather-dependent, but we’re hoping for a great day so everything will be available,” DePaolo said.

That includes a tasty treat for many of the animals, who will snack on watermelon alongside visitors.

Here’s when the watermelon will be dished out:

• 10 a.m.: Rhinos
• 11:30 a.m.: Brown bears and humans
• 1:30 p.m.: Galapagos tortoises and humans
• 3 p.m.: Primates

Other animals will be treated throughout the day too.

“This will be a refreshing, hydrating snack for both visitors and animals – and a way to drive home our many similarities with our animal friends,” DePaolo said.

This also is the perfect time to check out new additions to the zoo, including the new Americas exhibit featuring animals from North, Central and South America such as an armadillo, bats, red-tailed boas, a black and white tegu and a Gila monster.

“We also have had two baby goats, a bongo and a squirrel monkey born this year. And we have two new lemurs, Benny and Jerry, and a new squirrel monkey, Buster, who have recently arrived from different zoos,” DePaolo said.

There’s also a chance the new bobcat will be making his debut.

“And you’ll need to come back soon, too, because we’re on the brink of opening our expanded black bear exhibit and putting the finishing touches on the project right now,” DePaolo said.

Here are a few more tips for stopping out on Zippity Zoo Day – or any day:

• Bring a water bottle. Filling stations are available in the museum lobby or near the cafe restrooms.
• Stop out at the cafe, featuring a tasty variety of meals and snacks. Order online here, and skip the line. On Saturday, you can find a special banana split flavor of Dippin’ Dots.
• Come with questions! The zookeepers enjoy talking about the animals and their care. Can’t see an animal on exhibit? They will show you where to look or tell you what the animal is up to that day. Want to know an animal’s name? They will know it!

To learn more and connect with Zippity Zoo Day, click here.