LivingFLA.com, Things To Do In South Florida

MIAMI METROZOO CELEBRATES ITS 30TH BIRTHDAY WITH A NEW NAME - "ZOO MIAMI" - A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION IN JULY, A NEW ENTRANCE AND A NEW LOOK

30th birthday celebration takes place July 3-5 with $5 admission, music, giveaways and many more surprises!

Miami Metrozoo wishes to thank the community and out-of-town visitors for their faithful patronage of its park over the last 30 years by celebrating its 30th birthday July 3 - 5 from 11 AM - 4 PM with $5 admission and much more! Supporters interested in giving the Zoo a $5 birthday gift and supporting Florida wildlife conservation awareness can text "ZOO" to 501501.

The new Zoo Miami logo and iconic Zoo entrance (SW 124 Avenue and 152 Street), that reflects the transformation the Zoo has undergone in the last 30 years, will be officially unveiled to dignitaries, media and VIPs on the morning of Friday, July 2nd.

In honor of its 30th birthday and in the spirit of 1980 when the Zoo opened on July 4th, the entire community is invited to enjoy the Zoo during $5 days from July 3-5. During these three days, the public will be treated to the heavily discounted admission price, music, giveaways and a ton of fun.

All weekend long entertainment will include disc jockeys playing the best 80's music. On July 3 and 4 at 1 pm, best 80's outfit contests will take place with prizes like year-long memberships to the Zoo. Zoo Miami lapel pins and collectable cups will be given to the first 1,000 people that visit the Zoo on July 3 and 5 (one giveaway per day). Guests will also be asked to sign a large commemorative banner celebrating the Zoo's 30th birthday that will be displayed inside the Zoo on that weekend.

On July 4th, the Zoo will be giving away gifts, which include Zoo Miami T-shirts and birthday cupcakes, to its first 1,000 loyal guests. Oasis Grille, the Zoo's main dining area, will be serving up an all American BBQ feast complete with burgers, hot dogs and sides at one low price. The first 1,000 people that purchase the BBQ will be receiving a complimentary 8-pack of Crush Orange soda, courtesy of Pepsi. That same day from 11 AM to 2 PM, Blue Bell's mobile ice cream parlor will be scooping away a variety of free ice cream to lucky Zoo visitors as part of Scoops for Conservation, a new partnership between the Zoological Society of Florida and Blue Bell Ice Cream that encourages donations for wildlife conservation.

Complementing the celebration, Miami Metrozoo is asking the public to submit cherished photos of their favorite memories of the Zoo by June 15th. Photos can be mailed or dropped off to Andrea Obregon at the Zoological Society of Florida (12400 SW 152 Street; Miami, FL 33177). Chosen photos will be displayed at Dr. Wilde's World and cannot be returned to their owners. Alongside this photo display will be an illustrated timeline of the Zoo's history from inception to date. High resolution digital photos can be emailed to info@zsf.org. Select photos will be displayed on the Zoo's Facebook and website.

On the Zoo's wish list is a request for a $5 birthday gift through an inaugural mobile giving campaign. By texting "ZOO" to 501501, you can support Florida wildlife conservation awareness at Zoo Miami. With your help, the Zoo will showcase wildlife and plant life from Florida and the Everglades in a new exhibit in 2013.

Miami Metrozoo's hours are 9:30 am - 5:30 pm; ticket booths close at 4 pm. For more information please visit www.miamimetrozoo.com. On its 30th Birthday, July 4, 2010, the Zoo's official website will change to www.zoomiami.org.