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November 15, 2013
"Holidays with the Critters" & "Winter Zoobilation" at the Santa Ana Zoo

Come one, come all to the Santa Ana Zoo's annual holiday family festival "Holidays with the Critters" on Saturday, December 7th from 11 am - 2 pm, rain or shine. The event is included with the price of admission and FREE for Zoo members.

Additionally, throughout the month of December, the Santa Ana Zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland called "Winter Zoobilation" with special holiday entertainment each weekend for all to enjoy.

On December 7th, Holidays with the Critters will be filled with enchanting animals, festive music and beautiful, original hand-crafted decorations depicting Santa's Workshop, Sweet Shop and Post Office cut outs of 3-dimensional wood and individually designed and painted by Board Member Rip Ribble. Guests will be able to join in the celebration with stories of winter delights, special children's crafts and a chance to see the Zoo animal friends put on their "winter coats." The Zoo entrance and farm area will feature live entertainment and "treat" stations where each child will receive goodies.

"At Holidays with the Critters families can escape from the season's frenzy and get reacquainted with the tranquility of the Santa Ana Zoo," says Debbie Friedman, Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ) Board President. "Visitors can also spread good cheer by doing their holiday shopping at the Treetop Toys Zoo Gift Shop, where proceeds go to help the Zoo."

All day there will be an exclusive 10% discount on merchandise, highlighting creative and zoo themed gifts for the holidays. Members receive an extra discount of 20% on all holiday themed gift shop items.

"Each one of us has holiday memories we cherish as parents, grandparents or friends, and at the Santa Ana Zoo we want to help make and honor these traditions and celebrations for one very special reason - to bring together the people we love and to create happy memories with them," says Cathi Decker, Executive Director, FOSAZ.

October 2, 2013
It's Boo Time at the Santa Ana Zoo!

Mark your calendars, grab your costumes, and join us for our annual "merry not scary" Boo at the Zoo! The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo and B.P.O. Elks Santa Ana Lodge #794 present the 23rd Annual Boo at the Zoo located at the Santa Ana Zoo, "Home of the 50 Monkeys." The event will take place from 5:30 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20; Saturday, October 26; Sunday, October 27; and Wednesday, October 30, rain or shine.

Boo at the Zoo is one of Orange County's longest-running Halloween events, providing a fun, safe, and family-friendly event for trick-or-treaters and children of all ages who love to wear costumes and embrace the Halloween spirit!

Guests will have the opportunity to explore 10 prize stations on our Trick-or-Treat Trail, enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed games and activities - including storytelling and sing-alongs, and visit with our nocturnal animals. Guests will also be able to participate in our nightly costume parade, led by SAZOO (our monkey mascot).

Our exciting "Boofari" Express Train and Conservation Carrousel rides will be entertaining little ghouls and goblins all night long. Parents, don't forget your cameras! Boo at the Zoo provides great photo opportunities that will last a lifetime.


General Admission is $14 per non-member ages 2 and up, and only $7 per Zoo Member ages 2 and up. Bonus: Children under the age of 2 are free. Join as a Member to receive your half price tickets! Tickets for the "Boo"fari Express and Carrousel will be available for $3 per ride or a $5 combo ticket for both rides. Hot dogs, chips and soda will also be available for purchase nightly provided by the Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary Club, Zoo Docents, and Zookeepers.

For those who are a little older and more adventurous, Boo at the Zoo will once again have a separate area for our "Teen Scream" haunted house (included in the regular price of admission). This is sure to provide chills and thrills for those who dare to enter.

To avoid the lines, admissions are now available online (valid any night of the event, nonrefundable - bring your receipt to Will Call on the night of the event). You may also purchase admissions at the main gate on the night of the event. For more information, please call (714) 953-8555 x12. So grab your costume and we'll see YOU at the BOO at the Santa Ana ZOO!

August 1, 2013
Tickets Now Available for the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park's 2013 "Zoofari State Faire" Black-Tie Fundraiser

The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ), a non-profit organization, are pleased to announce tickets sales, media and sponsorship opportunities for its 21st annual Zoofari fundraising event are now generally available for purchase online or by calling (714) 953-8555 x10.

Tickets to this year's exclusive, annual black-tie gala, themed "Zoofari State Faire," are $250 each or $2,500 for a private table of 10. All tickets must be purchased in advance of the event which will take place Saturday, August 24 from 5:30 pm - midnight at the Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park located at 1801 Chestnut Avenue in Santa Ana. Space is limited and tickets will not be sold at the door.

With an expected attendance of more than 300 guests, the glamorous fundraising event includes valet parking service underwritten by Villa Ford, a hosted bar and exquisite hors d'oeuvres, along with a first-class dining experience catered by Parties by Panache. Partygoers at the Zoofari State Faire will enjoy an evening of dancing, fine dining and musical entertainment under the stars, and have the opportunity to bid on wonderful trips, beautiful baskets, and one-of-a-kind gifts during the event's live and silent auctions hosted by renowned auctioneer Glen Fladeboe.

"For more than 20 years, Zoofari has played an integral role in raising the funds needed for all the special projects and improvements going on here at Orange County's favorite zoo including breaking ground on new animal habitats, tackling important conservation initiatives, introducing new rides and upgrading service facilities for our guests to use and enjoy," says Cathi Decker, event host and executive director of FOSAZ.

"Zoofari is a first-class fundraising event that demonstrates the love and investment the local community, surrounding businesses and FOSAZ have for the zoo," says Debbie Friedman, president of the FOSAZ Board. "This year's Zoofari State Faire promises to be another endearing and festive evening our guests will cherish and a night of giving that will have a lasting and positive impact on the Santa Ana Zoo for years to come."

To find out more about the 2013 Zoofari State Faire, discuss potential sponsorship opportunities or to reserve seats and purchase tickets, call (714) 953-8555 x10 or view our Zoofari page.

May 2, 2013
Santa Ana Zoo Announces 2013 Summer Concert Series & Beer Tasting Events
Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo Hosts Musical Guests and Local Craft Breweries to The Santa Ana Zoo

The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo today announced the 2013 "Sunsets at the Zoo" Summer concert series sponsored by Villa Ford of Orange and "Brew at the Zoo" beer tasting events. Starting Sunday, June 9th from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, the afterhour's concert series and tasting events will feature live music, art by local artisans, Zoo animals, Train & Carrousel rides and offer an exclusive beer garden tasting experience, for adults 21 and over, raising funds to help the Zoo. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner, blanket, family and friends and enjoy the concerts.

Sunday, June 9: Ritmo, Sabor, y Estilo
Sunday, June 23: The Mighty Mojo Prophets
Sunday, July 7: Psykotik Reaktion
Sunday, July 21: Peggie Perkins

"Brew at the Zoo" features a unique craft brew tasting experience from some of Orange County's finest craft beer brewers. Guests can sample specialties from Stone Brewing & Tustin Brewing Co. - June 9, The Bruery - June 23, Valiant - July 7, and Old Orange Brewing Co. - July 21.

Admission to Sunsets at the Zoo is $10 per person ages 3 and up. Zoo Members pay only $5 per person. Children under 3 are free. All proceeds raised from Brew at the Zoo, which include a minimum $10 donation per person, will benefit the Santa Ana Zoo.

"Sunsets at the Zoo are a great Sunday summertime activity for friends, family, and couples looking to picnic together, while listening to live music and enjoying all the Zoo has to offer," says Steve McGuigan, event organizer and Communications Chair for the Santa Ana Zoo Board of Directors. "We're thrilled to showcase the craftsmanship of Orange County's finest breweries at Brew at the Zoo"

California residents and guests are invited to arrive early for Blues at the Zoo, a blues concert on the front lawn of the Zoo that takes place before Sunsets at the Zoo from 2 pm to 4 pm and is included with regular Zoo admission.

If you are entering the Zoo prior to 4:00 p.m. and will be attending our Sunset at the Zoo special event, there will be an additional charge to attend the event.

March 22, 2013
The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo to Host "Party for the Planet!
An Earth Day Celebration" on April 20

Honoring Earth Day, the Friends of Santa Ana Zoo, announced its annual Party for the PlanetTM event will take place Saturday, April 20 from 11:00am-2:00pm on the beautiful Santa Ana Zoo grounds, "Home of the 50 Monkeys." Exclusive to AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Party for the Planet represents the largest shared Earth Day celebration in North America.

Open to the public, the Zoo's Party for the Planet is a fun-filled day that celebrates wildlife while promoting conservation and educating Zoo-goers about the different ways they can help protect the environment and "go green." The event is FREE for FOSAZ Members and FREE for the general public with price of admission.

Throughout the event, Zoo guests are welcome to participate in conservation-friendly crafts and fun games including bird bingo, as well as learn from hands-on demonstrations and education stations featuring recycling and sustainable living. The Conservation Carrousel and Zoofari Express Train Rides will be available for $3 each, and combo tickets for $5 each. Children under 2 are free to ride with paid adult on the Train and adults standing with children on the Carrousel are free.

"The Santa Ana Zoo strives to lead by example when it comes to conservation, sustainability and going green," says Debbie Friedman, FOSAZ President. "Party for the Planet allows us to share environmentally-friendly best practices with the community and show our guests first-hand the benefits of living green. From the drought-tolerant plants we grow, to the wood we select for use in our habitats—for us, conservation and protecting our environment is a personal and professional choice."

The 2013 Party for the Planet event marks the 12th year the Friends of Santa Ana Zoo has hosted an event in honor of Earth Day. Participants include the Bee Keeper, the Orange County Vector Control District, the Santa Ana City Water District and the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center. More information about the Zoo's conservation efforts can be found at http://fosaz.org/attractg.htm.

Santa Ana Zoo Celebrates 61 Years!
"Wild Birthday Weekend" March 2-3 from 11am - 2pm

The Santa Ana Zoo, "Home of the 50 Monkeys," announced its 61st Birthday Celebration will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, March 2nd & Sunday, March 3rd 2013, on the Zoo grounds.

Open to the public and FREE with the price of admission and FREE for FOSAZ Members, the two-day birthday celebration includes special animal guests, live music and entertainment from 11:00am-2:00pm. Children will enjoy singing happy birthday, eating cake sponsored by Knowlwood (first come, first served), watching the marvelous Guardette Dance Troupe and taking photos with SAZOO, the Zoo's resident monkey mascot.

Other family favorites included are Tierra de las Pampas, home to the new baby anteater, the Crean Family Farm and the Colorful Amazon Aviary! Additionally rides on the Conservation Carrousel, Zoofari Express Train and the new Rainforest Adventure Maze will be available for $3 each or $5 for a combo ticket.

"For 61 years, the Santa Ana Zoo has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Southern California community, and we are proud to continue to share our appreciation and love of nature and wildlife with our Members and visitors," says FOSAZ Executive Director Cathi Decker. "We are thrilled to host our Birthday Celebration and welcome everyone to enjoy all the Zoo has to offer!"

The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 150 animals, including 50 of the most entertaining and engaging monkeys and several endangered species, like the Golden Lion Tamarins.

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