The Kansas City Zoo is rolling out the red carpet on Friday, June 7 for its biggest fundraising event of the year. Jazzoo 2013, presented by American Century Investments, will be a grand affair. This year’s theme “Mystique of the Beak” celebrates our always dressed-to-the-nines friends – penguins! These spectacular animals will waddle to the Zoo in late Fall 2013 to take residence in the new Helzberg Penguin Plaza.
This is the 23rd anniversary for Jazzoo. Founded in 1990 by the Junior League of Kansas City, millions of dollars have been raised to support the Zoo. Honored in the past as one of the top fundraising events in Kansas City, this year Jazzoo has raised the bar to dazzle attendees.
More than 4,500 partygoers are expected to attend the event. Guests will enjoy an evening indulging in the finest cuisine and sipping superb libations while enjoying the exotic ambiance of the Kansas City Zoo.
They will also jam to the sounds of great bands. Confirmed entertainment includes Howl at the Moon – Dueling Pianos, Samantha Fish, The Zeros, Drew Six, Sell Out, Victor & Penny, DJ Kirby, Disco Dick, and Kokomo. And the entertainment list keeps growing.
Jazzoo makes a tangible and lasting impact on both the animals and Zoo visitors. Proceeds from the evening provide food and care for more than 1000 exotic animals and support the Zoo Learning Fund, which is designed to create educational programming for children.
This party is also the unofficial kickoff for the Zoo season. This year the Zoo is striving for record-breaking attendance, and the Helzberg Penguin Plaza will be a definite show-stopper for attracting guests. The exhibit, inspired by the Southern Oceans, will feature two pools for 4 species of penguins: a 100,000 gallon cool pool for the cold-water penguin species, and a 25,000 gallon warm, wet, sandy area for the three warm-water species.
Gentlemen, dress your best! Ladies, wear your most fabulous cocktail attire. This is a year to really celebrate at the Zoo. Individual tickets are $175 per person; patron tickets are $375 per person. Both may be purchased at www.jazzookc.org.
Jazzoo also relies on corporate sponsors to raise the maximum amount of funds possible for this signature event. If you or your organization would like to sponsor Jazzoo 2013, please contact Emily at 816-513-5706 or EmilyClark@fotzkc.org.
The Jazzoo 2013 website and Facebook page are always hopping with the latest event updates.
Support the Zoo – Fun Facts:
Each elephant eats 70 pounds of hay per day and 7 pounds of grain.
Lions can eat over 10 pounds of meat at a time.
The slender-snouted crocodiles only eat once a week.
The Zoo uses 200 tons of hay and alfalfa each year.
The Zoo uses 150 pounds of carrots each week.
