Racine Zoo previews opportunities to 'go wild' during their animal-inspired events

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Feb 27, 2023 9:15 AM CST

NOW: Racine Zoo previews opportunities to ’go wild’ during their animal-inspired events

RACINE, Wis. (AP) - The Racine Zoo is offering a variety of upcoming events for animal enthusiasts through the month of March.

To discuss details, the Racine Zoo's Executive Director, Beth Heidorn joined us on Monday, Feb. 27.

The zoo's "Wild for Wine" fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Mar. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring a wine selection, a five-course catered dinner and a silent auction to raise money for the care of their eastern black rhinos, Timu and Kianga, and the conservation of their wild counterparts. Attendees must be 21 or older to attend. The cost of attendance is $85 for zoo members, $95 for non-members, $75 for zoo members not drinking and $85 for non-members not drinking.

The zoo's "Hiring Day" will also be held on Mar. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a goal of filling various part-time seasonal positions, including the Gift Shop, Grill, Train, Facilities, Special Events and The Watering Hole Snack Shop. Applicants must be 15 years or older and be able to lift up to 50 pounds. On-location interviews will take place at the Zoo Administration Office, located at 200 Goold Street, which is down the block from the zoo front entrance.

"Call Me Old Fashioned" will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older to attend, and general admission is $40 while non-drinking admission is $20. The event will take place inside the Vanishing Kingdom building, where participants can sample five unique old fashioned drinks, hors d'oeuvres by Red Onion Cafe and meet an ambassador animal. The indoor exhibits of the Vanishing Kingdom building will also be open for viewing.

Finally, the Racine Zoo will be celebrating its Centennial throughout 2023. The zoo opened to the public in 1923 with a pair of deer and three monkeys and has grown to become a nonprofit organization currently home to over 75 unique species and over 300 individual animals from Wisconsin and around the world.

More information can be found by visiting RacineZoo.org.