Lynx and lizards and hawks, oh my! Cosley Zoo, one of the premier small zoos in America and a beloved asset in the Wheaton community, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 with a host of special events this summer for kids, adults and families alike.
All ages are invited on Friday, June 21, to a Picnic with the Animals at the zoo, located at 1356 N. Gary Ave. in Wheaton. Guests at this after-hours event, which runs from 5:30-8 p.m., are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy animal visits plus special games and activities. The zoo’s Coyote Café concessions stand and Wild Side Gift Shop will be open throughout the event. Plus, half of net proceeds from the picnic will be donated to red wolf conservation efforts! Tickets for Picnic at the Zoo are $11 for ages 2-adult, free for ages 1 and under, and are available for purchase at cosleyzoo.org.
Parents looking for a weeknight date night or a girls night out for a good cause can mark their calendars for Uncorked at Cosley Zoo, a 21+ event happening Thursday, July 11, from 5-7:30 p.m. The event will feature live entertainment, wine tastings, appetizers and a variety of raffle prizes. The first 450 guests also will receive a commemorative wine glass. Tickets are $55 per person; all proceeds benefit the zoo.
Finally, on Saturday, Aug. 17—the zoo’s actual birthday—Cosley Zoo will host a special 50th anniversary celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with swag bags for the first 100 visitors, a scavenger hunt, treats, history chats, a craft station and more. New banners on display will tell the story of the zoo since it first opened as Cosley Children’s Park and Museum on Aug. 17, 1974.
Cosley Zoo, a Wheaton Park District facility, is now home to 20 different exhibits and more than 200 animals from across North America. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) since 2000 in recognition of the zoo’s commitment to providing excellence in visitor experiences, animal care, conservation and educational programming. Cosley Zoo draws more than 150,000 visitors per year and—just as in 1974—regular admission is free of charge for children ages 0-17 and for Wheaton Park District residents.
The zoo is open daily through Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:15 p.m. For more information, please visit cosleyzoo.org.
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