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

LG&E and KU sponsor events throughout April

The Louisville Zoo is throwing its annual bash for the Earth — Party for the Planet: A Month-Long Celebration of the Earth, powered by Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company. The lineup for the month of April includes $5.25 Fun Day Mondays (April 11, 18 & 25); special activities; Zookeeper presentations; a regional art contest for students; $8.25 admission on April 16 and events to delight patrons of all ages. A portion from each general admission on Fun Day Mondays and the Earth Day Festival on April 16 will go to support conservation efforts.

“From the new camel rides to the newborn camel calf, it’s an exciting time to enjoy all the zoo has to see and do,” said Laura Douglas, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs at LG&E and KU.  “The special admission and added attractions throughout Earth Month offer an ideal opportunity for families to come out and support our planet as they spend time with one another.”

Earth Day Festival

During the Earth Day festival on April 16, guests can enjoy $8.25 admission to the Zoo and free parking, courtesy of LG&E and KU.

Trashformation: A Trash-to-Treasure Recyclable Art Contest for students from preschool through grade 12 is back again after much success in past years. This fun contest offers eight artwork divisions and is open to individual students, groups or classes. Contest rules and registration forms are available at louisvillezoo.org/trashformation. The registration deadline is March 21. Winners will be announced at the Earth Day Festival where all entries will be displayed.

Visit louisvillezoo.org/earth for a complete list of Earth month events.

Party for the Planet Activities

Saturdays, April 2, 9, 23 and 30; 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
ZooPoopyDoo Compost and Mulch Sale
Get your garden ready for spring with our unique, high-quality ZooPoopyDoo compost and hardwood bark mulch. Compost is $40 per scoop. Mulch is $19.50 per scoop. There are 17.8 cubic feet per scoop. These products are now available for pre-purchase online at louisvillezoo.org.

Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Backyard Bird and Raptor Awareness Day
Join the Louisville Zoo docents and Zookeepers as we highlight a variety of our feathered friends. Learn about the birds and raptors you may find in your own backyard! Beckham Bird Club will also be on hand on the Zoo’s front plaza. Norton Healthcare will also provide health screenings in Zoovision.

Sunday, April 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bear Day
Visit Glacier Run to learn how we care for all of our bear species and watch as the bears are treated to special enrichment treats. Zoo mascot Grizwald will be on hand to meet and greet children of all ages.

Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eco-Partner: Kentucky Herp Society
Stop by the Zoo’s front plaza and visit with the Kentucky Herp Society and some of their amazing creatures.

Sunday, April 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crocs Rock
Meet popular storybook character, Lyle Lyle Crocodile. Visit with Zookeepers and learn more about our scaly friends. What’s the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? Find out this and more! There will also be activities from Louisville Water Company.

Monday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (enjoy the Zoo until 6 p.m.)
Fun Day Monday
Enjoy $5.25 general admission on Fun Day Mondays in April, courtesy of LG&E and KU. There will be special Zookeeper talks and appearances by Buddy Bat from 10 a.m. to noon and LG&E and KU’s Louie the Lightening Bug from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Docents will be on hand with animals and biofacts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (enjoy the Zoo until 6 p.m.)
$8.25 admission all day, free parking
Eco-Partner displays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Louisville Zoo, and enjoy $8.25 admission courtesy of LG&E and KU. Spend the day learning about the Zoo’s conservation efforts and visit environmental displays located throughout the Zoo featuring some of our eco-partners. Visit LG&E and KU’s Safety City display and Louie the Lightening Bug from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See the Trashformation student recycled art entries in ZooVision all day.

Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hang with Bats
Fly over and learn more about some of nature’s favorite nocturnal fliers. Enjoy special Zookeeper talks about our vampire and fruit bats as well as an appearance from children’s storybook character Stellaluna.

Monday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (enjoy the Zoo until 6 p.m.)
Fun Day Monday
Enjoy $5.25 general admission, courtesy of LG&E and KU, on Fun Day Mondays in April. There will be special Zookeeper talks and appearances by Buddy Bat from 10 a.m. to noon and LG&E and KU’s Louie the Lightening Bug from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Docents will be on hand with animals and biofacts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eco-Partner: Louisville Zoo Docents
Learn more about how we can all protect Mother Earth as Louisville Zoo educators stationed throughout the Zoo explain and demonstrate ways to help our planet.

Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
World Penguin Day
Waddle over and spend the day learning all about our Rockhopper penguins. Special Zookeeper presentations will be held throughout the day. Learn about the Zoo’s newest exhibit Penguin Cove, featuring our new “Little” penguins, before the exhibit opens on May 14.

Monday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (enjoy the Zoo until 6 p.m.)
Fun Day Monday
Enjoy $5.25 general admission on Fun Day Mondays in April, courtesy of LG&E and KU. There will be special Zookeeper talks and appearances by Buddy Bat from 10 a.m. to noon and LG&E and KU’s Louie the Lightening Bug from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Docents will be on hand with animals and biofacts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eco-Partners: Kentucky Science Center
Learn about the importance of recycling, nature conservation and more with KSC as we celebrate the Earth! Test out different types of plastics; explore the science behind frogs, energy, and the way humans impact our planet.

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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).

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 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 400,000 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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