Zoo invites grownups for some ‘wild fun’ at special event

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

The Great Plains Zoo definitely isn’t just for kids.

On July 27, the new signature summer event Zoofari will welcome guests age 21 and older for a night of fun in support of the zoo’s mission.

The party kicks off at 5:30 p.m., with raffle drawings at 6:30 p.m.

Guests can meet ambassador animals, feed giraffes and farm friends, tour the zoo vet clinic, get up close to kangaroos in Walkabout Australia, marvel at traveling butterfly and Ocean in Motion exhibits, and ask every animal question they have at zookeeper chats.

“Zoofari is a fun-filled evening for grownups to enjoy their zoo with family and friends,” CEO Becky Dewitz said.

“We want you to enjoy meeting some of our beloved zoo animals and develop a stronger connection to wildlife while also enjoying a beautiful evening at the Great Plains Zoo.”

Tickets for dinner from local food trucks and adult beverages are included with admission, with additional tickets available for purchase. Food trucks at the event will include Taverns + Tots, Wagoo Burger, Oh My Cupcakes! and Taqueria Juanita.

Raffle prizes include a private dinner and training session with brown bears Kodiak and Katmai, Wings & Waves Gala tickets, a painting experience with a black rhino – and a chance to see firsthand how creepy, crawly creatures play a big role in many zoo animal diets. To buy raffle tickets, click here.

Proceeds from the event will support the shared vision of GPZ and the Butterfly House & Aquarium to bring the whole wild world – land, sea and sky – to one campus for the benefit of the community.

“Over the next several years, we are working to bring these two beloved destinations onto one campus – and we could not do that without the incredible support of our community and city of Sioux Falls,” Dewitz said.

Support for Zoofari is provided by First PREMIER Bank, Scheels, Ackerman-Estvold, Sammons Financial and other dedicated community partners.

Tickets are available now at ZoofariSiouxFalls.com.

After hours

If you can’t make it July 27, you still have a chance to experience later hours at the zoo for the rest of the summer.

It will stay open until 7 p.m. Wednesdays until Labor Day and offer an enhanced experience beginning at 5 p.m. with beer and wine, games, giraffe feeding, mini-horse walks and cafe specials.