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Monday, August 13, 2018

Day 295-Visit the Zoo-Summer Safari (food music cocktails)-A Magical Party in the Wild


One of my blog inspiration books, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a (Disney) Little Golden Book, reminds us that the “world is full of magical places”.  When my son was a toddler the  Pittsburgh Zoo was a  magical place where we  could have a weekly  encounter with elephants, lions, bears, and turtles (these were my son’s favorite animals ). A zoo visit educates, entertains, and reminds us that we share this word with many other unique species.

Unfortunately, we sometimes forget to explore the animal kingdom as we once did when our children become adults and leave the family nest.  The Pittsburgh Zoo’s annual benefit event, Summer Safari, is an adult party that brings you back to experiencing the magic of  a lion’s roar, wobble of the penguins, and the vibrant shades of blues, yellows and pinks of the ocean world.  You can do all this while you hold a cocktail, sample delicious dishes from over 28 business, and listen to  live entertainment! 


Reflection

The Pittsburgh Zoo has hosted a Summer Safari annually for years. Dressing up for this event in animal or tropical attire has always been part of the fun. I have a vague recollection in the 1990’s of being in search of  a leopard print  dress to wear but attending in a snake skin print (both prints were  much easier to find in the 90’s).  I again searched for the perfect zoo outfit and I found a pair of  sparkling tiger pants in the back of my closet. I have no memory wearing these in the last 20 years but resurrected  them and joined many others sporting their best tropical attire for this whimsical event.


The party, and it really is a party, began at the entrance village, with samples of  shrimp and crab fondue (Uno Pizzeria & Grill), flank steak (Texas de Brazil), mini crab cakes (Burn by Rocky Patel), Korean BBQ Chicken Tacos (Walnut Grill) and much more from 6 other restaurants.  My taste buds called me back  several times to the Eddie Merlot's tent for the filet mignon sliders. As we over ate, we listened to the  live entertainment (Hit Play) with rum and vodka signature drinks. This was only the first of four food and drink stations spaced throughout the zoo.


We wove on the serpentine path though the Asian Forest  and then the African Savanna  sharing this celebration with the wild creatures. We ended at the Plaza  with more delicacies from the exclusive caterer of the zoo.

The tigers, leopards, rhinos, flamingos ostriches, zebras, giraffes and elephants seemed unusually active in the cool evening air. The lions at dusk bellowed several loud roars as if they all were joining in on the party.   


Penguins, waving pink coral, star fish, dancing translucent jelly fish, detailed sea horses and other types of ocean  life dazzled us  at the PPG Aquarium.  The aquarium housed all types of desserts and I was stationary for some time dipping strawberries and more into the chocolate fountain. 


 The zoo staff made an extra effort to encourage the festivities.  The roaming shark, polar bear, and the aquarium diver posed for pictures. (I of course had to have a picture with them all). The zoo staff with seemingly fixed smiles answered questions and kept the party moving to each of the four stations.

Passing the Water’s Edge with its polar bears and sea otters, Summer Safari ended at the PNC Pavilion where the band, Radio Tokyo, motivated a dancing crowd.  This five hour event passed quickly as we embraced this magical party in the wild with some amazing animals.


I will keep Summer Safari  in my empty nest tool box next year and I will not forget to enjoy a trip  around the world at the zoo.  

 (The Zoo will host another adult event-Brew Zoo  on September 7, 2018 with 45 craft beers samples, food and entertainment. Get tickets here).
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