Page 16 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

NEW EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

th
The 90 Anniversary The Great Migration ZooBrew
Ferris Wheel Virtual Reality Experience
ZooBrew closed out the summer
In celebration of Brookfield Zoo A new virtual reality film opened in with over 80 drink sampling options
Chicago’s 90 anniversary, the 2024, taking guests on an incredible for guests 21 years old and up at the
th
Anniversary Ferris Wheel opened journey to witness Africa’s yearly Pavilions. The nearly 1,200 guests
on March 15, offering guests great migration of wildebeests, in attendance had the opportunity
a bird’s-eye, 360-degree view zebras, and antelopes traversing to stroll the park with their custom,
of the park from a height of 110 feet. East Africa’s wide-open grasslands hands-free Zoo Brew koozies and
From the ground, 350,000 multicol- in a dangerous trek as they search enjoy a live DJ and lawn games.
ored LED lights on the Ferris Wheel for fresh grazing lands and water.
Boo! at the Zoo
illuminated the park. Over 200,000
Bunny Hop
guests enjoyed the ride throughout Boo! at the Zoo’s three weekends
the year! The Zoo’s new Easter event included were a success, with a 29% increase
an egg hunt and education about in attendance from 2023! Costumed
The Ferris Wheel was manufactured
different animal eggs, a dance party, guests experienced the season
in the Netherlands by Lamberink B.V.
and a photo booth with the Easter through hayrides, pumpkin enrich-
and transported to the Zoo by the
Bunny! Nearly 5,000 guests joined ment for the animals, and of
Kissel Entertainment Company of
us for the event. course, candy.
Okeana, Ohio.
Party for the Planet Zoo After Dark: BOOs
Making Wild Connections
& Brews
The Zoo made strides toward
This year, we added five new
a healthier planet alongside guests The Zoo hosted a new fall 21+ event,
up-close, one-on-one animal
with an Earth Day 2.2-mile run. Zoo After Dark: BOOs & Brews,
encounters to give our guests
Close to 1,000 guests joined the featuring a Halloween-themed
opportunities to connect with and
event. To encourage actions to help evening at the Zoo with eerie
learn more about species at the Zoo!
our planet’s wildlife, participants entertainment, costumed guests,
Through the Zoo’s Wild Connections
received a packet of wildflower and specialty food and alcoholic
program, guests can meet animal
seeds to plant their own gardens! beverages. More than 1,200 guests
ambassadors, feed the flamingo
joined the evening’s festivities.
flock, prepare enrichment for Guests also cleared out their homes
macaws, feed a leopard shark, and dropped off disposables at two
or—a fan favorite—meet a North recycling events this year: Party for
American river otter. the Planet in April and Fall Recycling
Day in September.
Top: The 90th Anniversary Ferris Wheel
Middle: Guests at Boo! at the Zoo
Bottom: A guest meets a sloth through
a Wild Connections program