CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331 | Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
$8.25 admission to the Zoo’s Earth Day celebration on July 26 and $5.25 Fun Day Mondays for Month of July
Due to a temporary closure in response to COVID-19, the Louisville Zoo will celebrate its annual bash for the Earth — Party for the Planet: A Month-Long Celebration of the Earth powered by the LG&E and KU Foundation — in July.
Usually held in April, this month-long celebration will include $5.25 admission for Fun Day Mondays on July 6, 13 ,20 and 27 as well as $8.25 admission on July 26 when the Zoo will celebrate its Earth Day Festival. The Zoo’s social channels will also feature conservation-minded videos on each Saturday in July from some of the Zoo’s eco-partners.
Everyone, including members, must reserve or purchase tickets online in advance at louisvillezoo.org/tickets. No one will be admitted without a ticket. Guests will be asked to choose their date and hour of arrival. Tickets are valid for the reserved date and time only, however guests may enjoy the Zoo at their leisure. The special ticketing policy, including frequently asked questions, is available at louisvillezoo.org/together.
The student winners of the Trashformation Recycled Art Contest will also be announced July 26 on the Zoo’s social channels and on the Zoo’s website at LouisvilleZoo.org/Trashformation.
“Party for the Planet is a fantastic celebration for families across our communities and we’re proud to be a part of that,” said LG&E and KU Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs Angie Evans. “Not only does this event create an opportunity for families to spend time together, it enables them to start a dialogue with children early on about what we can all do to help preserve the earth.”
“Even though we will be celebrating in an abbreviated fashion this year due to COVID-19, we still believe that the planet we inhabit deserves more than just one day to celebrate,” said Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak. “We are grateful to our partners — LG&E and KU— for helping us make the $5.25 Fun Day Mondays and the Earth Day Festival reduced admission possible.”
The Zoo remains in communication with the Mayor’s office and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness on our COVID-19 response and has closely worked with them on the reopening and ensuring we are following the latest safety guidelines.
Staff members have mandatory temperature checks as they arrive to work. All staff in public areas wear masks. The Zoo strongly encourages guests to wear masks as well. Zoo keepers continue to wear masks around vulnerable animal populations.
The Zoo will be cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas frequently. All of the restrooms will be open with step-and-pull entry or touchless access. Zoo staff and markers will be present to help encourage social distancing.
Guests will be asked to follow a one-way route through the Zoo. Indoor exhibit areas will not be open during the initial reopening phase. The Wild Walk trail will take guests through popular exhibits like the Islands, the Americas, Glacier Run and Gorilla Forest. Along the way, guests will be able to see Sunni or Sebastian in the Zoo’s new sloth exhibit and visit elephant calf, Fitz. In the coming months, the Zoo hopes to reopen indoor exhibits, rides and playgrounds.
There will be limited menus available at select outdoor food kiosks throughout the Zoo, as well as water bottle refill stations. Outdoor picnic areas have been arranged to ensure social distancing.
Visit louisvillezoo.org/earth for full details about the entire month.
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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 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 nearly 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 328,000 natural gas and 414,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 555,000 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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