Page 17 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

Hamill Family Play Zoo
play in our ecosystem. The hives
Additions are part of an immersive educational
experience designed for children
The Hamill Family Play Zoo welcomed and families, featuring an observation
new additions this year, offering station to safely watch hive activity, connect
new opportunities for exploration a play area to pretend to be a bee
and play. and more elements of creative
exploration.
In August 2024, a new chicken
coop opened in the back yard of the
Oktoberfest
Hamill Family Play Zoo, including five
breeds: partridge rock, barred rock, During Oktoberfest 2024, guests
silver seabright, gold Wyandotte, enjoyed live polka music presented
and silver lace Wyandotte chickens. by Leinenkugel’s with bratwursts,
A colorful graphic illustrates how sausages, and pretzels in hand.
to tell the differences between
A Magical Holiday Season
hens and roosters, as well as where
chickens can be found around This year, Holiday Magic® illuminated
the world—everywhere except the park with new features, includ-
Antarctica and Vatican City. ing a Holiday Market where guests
could find unique ornaments and
In December 2024, two hives of
gifts, a peppermint-themed glowing
honeybees settled into a new
Candy Cane Lane, and Sparkling
home inside of the Hamill Family
Coast, a transformation of The Living
Play Zoo after being locally rescued
Coast into a world of light-up aquatic
by Illinois Bee Rescue, offering
animals and oceanic displays. And of
guests of all ages an opportunity
course, the Anniversary Ferris Wheel
to learn about the vital role bees
added extra brightness through the
end of the year!
Alongside favorite holiday events
like Tree Trim and Reindeer Run,
we also launched our second Zoo
After Dark event, Holiday Sip ‘n Stroll.
Guests 21 and older got a sneak
peek of the lights while sampling
specialty holiday food and drinks
on a snowy evening!
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 11