Forest Park Zoo to Host Wine Safari on May 31

SPRINGFIELD — Some like to have cheese with their wine, but the Zoo in Forest Park is pairing wine with animal encounters at its annual Wine Safari on Saturday, May 31 from 2 to 6 p.m. Guests will be guided on an adventure around the world as they sample wine from different countries while meeting and learning about animals native to that region.

“How often do you get to drink wine for a good cause?” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director at the Zoo in Forest Park. “Wine Safari is a unique way to support our animals’ care, as many cannot survive in the wild for reasons related to injury, illness, permanent disability, or habituation to humans.”

Guests must be age 21 or older to attend. The $55 ticket includes wine samples from 2 to 6 p.m. (while supplies last), a reusable glass courtesy of MGM Springfield, food provided by Jersey Mike’s Longmeadow, and animal encounters and keeper talks from members of the Zoo’s animal care and education teams.

Advanced tickets are required to attend, and all IDs will be checked at the door. Tickets are limited and are on sale now at www.forestparkzoo.org/wine-safari.

The zoo will be open to the general public on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., but promptly at 1 p.m., it will close to the public to allow staff to prepare for Wine Safari.