The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s annual summer gala has gone mobile.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a traditional event at the zoo in Highland Park wasn’t able to be held. So organizers went on the move and created “Carnival: Drive Thru at the Zoo.”
The sold-out soiree is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.
“The animals have been lonely,” said Teresa Gaspard, the zoo’s development officer. “They are used to seeing people. People keep them amused, and they like to watch us as much as we like to see them.”
Guests will get to see plenty of their furry friends, from giraffes to elephants to polar bears to flamingos. The parade route will be lit with flamingo lanterns.
There will be a podcast to listen from their smart phones, and food, drinks and plenty of entertainment.
“We still want people to be able to come to the zoo,” Gaspard said. “We are trying to come up with new ways for people to support us and come to the zoo safely.”
You haven't seen a drive-thru event at the Zoo like this before! This unique drive-thru experience features musical entertainment, street performers, and animal interactions, plus tasty treats and libations along the way.https://t.co/HxH4Ww4kbL pic.twitter.com/1EnS3OL56M
— Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium (@PghZoo) August 5, 2020
Previous drive-through events have been successful, she said, so that’s why they decided to host this party.
The zoo has planned similar happenings in September and for the holidays.
“People can stay in their cars but still have an enjoyable time,” Gaspard said. “We are kicking it up a notch with this carnival atmosphere.”
When guests arrive they will be set up in the parking lot where there will be vendors. People can buy paintings done by the animals priced from $25-$1,500.
They will be invited to drive through the zoo via a timed-ticketing system where there will be a disc jockey, beer, mini-sandwiches, snacks and Brazilian donuts.
Iron City Aerialists will perform an aerial show and Steel City Calypso will also entertain. Nearly a dozen members of Pittsburgh Samba Group will dance in two locations at the entrance and near the giraffes as cars pass by. Owner Luciana Costantino of Allison Park said 25 of their events have been canceled because of covid-19 so she is so happy to be part of this one.
“We will be mingling around,” said Costantino, who also owns Art in Motion Pittsburgh, an international and classical dance studio in Sharpsburg. “This will be a night we all deserve during this pandemic year.”
Also at the entrance will be giant puppets, created by Brighton Heights artist Cheryl Capezzuti. She’s known for these larger-than-life figures and throughout the pandemic she has loaned puppets for people to enjoy.
Zoo party organizers contacted her because she had done events before.
“I feel like so many things have been canceled that if the puppets can help put smiles on people’s faces – all while practicing social distancing — that will make me happy,” Capezzuti said. “That’s what puppets do best. We all need some joy in our world, and I always try to find the light among the darkness.”
