Zoo to celebrate anniversary with festivities

The Birmingham Zoo is celebrating its 60th anniversary this weekend with free tote bags, cookies, a drum circle and free admission for those older than the zoo.

The zoo’s first official exhibit, Monkey Island, opened 60 years ago on April 2, 1955.

On Saturday, April 4, the first 60 guests to arrive will receive a free anniversary tote bag, and at noon guests can enjoy free Bud’s Best Cookies while supplies last and anniversary buttons. An interactive Get Rhythm Drum Circle will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Trails of Africa for a community music-making experience, and.

On Sunday, April 5, guests born in or before 1955 receive free admission to the zoo for that day.

Activities throughout the weekend include feeding the lorikeets in the new Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary (additional cost), the new Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Shows, the new Wild Slide (additional cost), the Jane H. Brock Soaring Safari Zipline Adventure (additional cost), camel rides (additional cost), special animal enrichments, face painting, giraffe feedings (additional cost) and the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo Splash Pads.

For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com.