Earth Day Festival

CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

Louisville Zoo Celebrates Earth Day April 13 with $3 admission powered by LG&E and KU

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) – The Louisville Zoo will celebrate Earth Day on April 13, with a news conference including Mayor Greg Fischer, who will announce the winners of the Zoo’s 2nd annual Trashformation: Trash-to-Treasure art contest. In addition, guests can enjoy a $3 discounted general admission, courtesy of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, free parking and eco-exhibitor booths.

Powered by LG&E and KU, the Earth Day Festival is a highlight of the Zoo’s “Party for the Planet: A Month-long Celebration of the Earth” in April.

In addition to Mayor Fischer, Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak and Laura Douglas, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs for LG&E and KU, will be on hand to announce the winners of the 2nd annual Trashformation student recycled art contest at a 10:30 a.m. press conference that will be held near Glacier Run.

Trashformation recycled art entries will be on display all day in ZooVision. Entries to the The “Fridge” Challenge will be on display in the Glacier Run classroom. The “Fridge” Challenge was a new category added this year. Students were challenged to create art from a recycled refrigerator shell as part of LG&E and KU’s Fridge and Freezer Recycling Program, which gives customers $50 for their old, inefficient appliances.

Earth Fare: The Healthy Supermarket is supplying prizes for the winners in each Trashformation category. Winners will also receive a behind the scenes tour of an animal area.

Zoo visitors will also have an opportunity to enjoy other fun activities and find out what they can do to help protect our planet. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., patrons can learn about the Zoo’s conservation efforts and visit environmental displays by eco-partners at stations throughout the Zoo. Guests can discover ways to connect to the local environment and make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level.

Eco exhibitors include:

  • American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)
  • American Chestnut Foundation
  • The Diaper Fairy
  • Earth Fare: the healthy supermarket
  • Fleet Feet
  • Green B.E.A.N. Delivery
  • Huntington Learning Center
  • HomeFit Personal Training Company
  • Jefferson Co. Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Jefferson Co. Clerk’s office
  • Kentuckiana Air Education (KAIRE)
  • Kentucky Division of Forestry
  • Kentucky Herpetological Society
  • Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
  • Kentucky Science Center
  • Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission
  • LG&E and KU’s Louie the Lightening Bug
  • LG&E and KU’s Mini City
  • LG&E and KU’s The “Fridge” Challenge
  • Louisville Metro Division of Environmental Health & Protection
  • Louisville Zoo Docents
  • Louisville Zoo Green Team
  • Louisville Zoo Youth Board
  • MSD
  • Moe’s Southwest Grill
  • The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky
  • Rainbow Blossom
  • River Metals Recycling
  • Service Systems Associates (SSA)
  • United Nations Association of the USA – Louisville Chapter
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Waterstep

Children and adults can learn how to be safe around electricity by visiting LG&E and KU’s “Mini-City” Demonstration between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Glacier Run classroom foyer. Mini-City is a table-top display that uses live current to demonstrate proper safety techniques using outdoor and indoor scenarios. And LG&E and KU’s “Louie the Lightning Bug” will be on hand, buzzing the crowd to delight children and adults.

The Zoo encourages guests to ride their bike (bike racks will be available at the Zoo) or take TARC to the celebration to help protect the environment. For a list of TARC’s buses and schedules, visit www.ridetarc.org.

Additional support provided by Earth Fare and Hibu.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a $3 admission day, so be aware of heavy crowds and traffic. Please call Media Relations Manager Kyle Shepherd at 744-5639 or 238-5331 prior to coverage and sign in at the receptionist desk.)

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About Louisville Zoo, The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

 Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 397,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. Kentucky Utilities serves 543,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.

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