PRIDE Day at the Philadelphia Zoo will return for its fourth incarnation Oct. 12. The Family & Friends Outing will be held from noon-4 p.m., featuring a vendor expo, Pride-themed scavenger hunt, Zoo on Wheels demonstrations and crafts and other activities.
An adults-only evening party had also been scheduled but was cancelled this week.
Zoo chief operating officer Andy Baker said the Zoo, which has hosted other themed days targeted to particular communities, is eager to offer events that represent the wide range of people who visit the Zoo.
“One of the things we’re really proud about at the Zoo is the diversity of our audience,” he said. “The people who visit us reflect the diversity of the Delaware Valley, whether by age, race, gender, national orientation, so that’s really a point of pride for us. Having an event that celebrates the LGBT community is something that’s part of our broader intention to be inclusive and to have the Zoo belong to everybody in our region.”
Baker noted that the Zoo has undergone a number of changes in recent years and months, such as the launch of the first three pieces of trail along its trail system, which allows guests to watch animals as they travel throughout the park.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to see animals in a way they haven’t before and to watch the animals experience the zoo in a new way,” Baker said.
In the spring, the Zoo launched KidZooU, the new children’s zoo and education program that Baker said is geared toward all ages — from “8 months to 80 years.”
“We have amazing new things here that people who haven’t visited the Zoo recently will be thrilled with,” Baker added. “For this event, I think those coming with young family members have an opportunity to share the Zoo as part of the Family Outing, and for those not coming with kids, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with this great resource and an exciting place to visit.”
Baker noted that having the event on OutFest weekend is especially fitting.
“Many people wouldn’t think of the Zoo as being a part of that weekend, but we’re very happy to be,” he said. “We see ourselves as being a unique resource and we’re very proud of the diversity of our attendance. We’re everybody’s zoo, and I hope people take advantage of what will be a great day.”
Guests are encouraged to wear red to show their LGBT pride.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.philadelphiazoo.org.
