Zoobilee! Party with a Purpose 2024 Program

Presented by

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Dear Zoobilee Guests, Welcome to Zoobilee! Party with a Purpose. You are joining us for a Roger Williams Park Zoo tradition that looks to the future; and we promise you a buzzing, flapping, roaring good time once again. As you explore the beautiful grounds, discovering updated and new animal habitats, visiting with friends, moving to some groovy beats and reveling in delicious food and drink, you can take pride in supporting an organization that knows how to have a good time while it also does good work!

With more than a century and a half of offering Providence a respite from the hustle of urban life through engaging wildlife experiences, your zoo continues to bring the wonders of nature to our own doorstep and to conduct meaningful conservation work that helps protect wild places and animals in Rhode Island and at the far corners of the globe. Just ask anyone you see in a zoo shirt tonight. They will probably have a story to tell!

Roger Williams Park Zoo is also an active member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, whose accreditation program is known worldwide to be the ‘gold standard.’ Undergoing a rigorous preparation, inspection and peer review process every five years we can proudly claim to be in the top ten percent of more than 2,500 facilities that present animals to the public in the United States and twelve other countries.

The zoo is a treasure not just for Rhode Islanders but has become a destination for visitors throughout New England. Your support tonight is critical to our success and the accolades and work we accomplish are thanks to supporters like you.

We are grateful to the restaurants, caterers and beverage purveyors who support Roger Williams Park Zoo by donating their service, delectable food and beverages. Their partnership makes it possible for you to enjoy a great party, and it all combines to advance the zoo’s mission that includes helping local people protect rainforest in Perú, elephants in Botswana and – no kidding! – endangered beetles in Rhode Island.

Bank RI is our presenting sponsor tonight, for the 5th year, along with a stellar group of contributors.

Please join us in thanking them for their support. It is privilege to work in a community that clearly prizes its zoo, joining with us to advance education, recreation and conservation missions. We humbly thank our sponsors and hope you will do the same.

Finally, an enthusiastic shout-out goes to our event co-chairs Pamela Heffernan and Cheryl Cohen and the Zoobilee Ambassadors for their energy, creativity and perseverance. Their hard work combined with that of the RWPZoo staff has once again produced a festive gathering for an important purpose. Well done, Team!

Cheers!

Stacey Johnson Rhode Island Zoological Society, Executive Director

Greetings Zoobilee Supporters and Guests!

Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate Zoobilee – Party with a Purpose!

Each year we look forward to welcoming guests to spend this special summer evening here at the Zoo. As you enjoy samples from top restaurants, drinks, and dancing tonight don’t forget to also look around at the amazing changes that are happening here. As you entered the main gate, the new Savanna Trail features our new African aviary and serval habitat.

We are excited for you to treat yourself to delicious food and refreshing beverages provided by over 35 of the finest local restaurants and caterers. Renowned dance band Mystique is back once again as our headlining performer, and we have a live animal encounter planned to showcase our mission in action. There’s still time to bid in our online auction. Be sure to check it out and bid on a variety of exciting packages including unique Zoo experiences, weekend getaways, gourmet foods, jewelry, and much, much more. Visit rwpzoo.org and click on the Zoobilee auction. The auction will be open until July 1st!

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, BankRI and all the generous companies and individuals who contribute to the success of the event. All proceeds from the evening will help support the Zoo’s mission of education and conservation locally, nationally, and around the globe.

Many thanks to fellow Zoobilee Event Ambassadors, RI Zoological Society Board of Trustees and all the companies, organizations, and individuals who have generously contributed to Zoobilee, including the participating restaurants who have donated their delicious food, time and staff on a busy Saturday night.

Thank you also to the Zoo staff, animal keepers, and volunteers who commit their time and hard work to make the evening a fun and safe experience for everyone. Together, you help make this one of the biggest and best parties around.

And tonight, we also celebrate you, our guests, who continue to make this event so wildly successful. Thank you again, and we hope you enjoy the evening!

Cheers,

Pam Heffernan

Cheryl Cohen

Pam Heffernan Co-Chair, Zoobilee 2024 Event Ambassadors

Cheryl Cohen Co-Chair, Zoobilee 2024 Event Ambassadors

Program of Events Main Stage & Upper Zoo

Events Not To Be Missed!

8:00 – 8:30 p.m.

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Gather Under the Tent Get ready for an exciting encounter with several of our amazing animals!

Extraordinary Rendition Band -Enjoy lively music as you enter the Zoo!

Welcome • Kait Walsh and Melissa Sardelli – WPRI Morning Team

Animal Encounters Meet our fascinating animals up close in the Lower Zoo!

Exclusive Live Animal Presentation: Up Close and Personal • Stacey Johnson, RIZS Executive Director

Natural Encounters Bird Presentation Experience the wonders of our feathered friends!

8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Step & Repeat Capture an Instagram-worthy moment near our new serval exhibit! Tag us #RWPZOO

Dance Party with Mystique Enjoy a vibrant mix of music and dance!

10:00 – 10:55 p.m.

Dance Party Continues with Mystique Keep the party going with more great tunes!

10:30 p.m.

Last Call at Upper Zoo Bars Don’t miss out on your final chance to grab a Zootini!

10:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Last Call at Upper Zoo Bars

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Animal Encounters More opportunities to interact with animals Zoo-Wide!

6:00 – 10:45 p.m.

Wine & Beer Bazaar It’s your chance to take home an incredible prize. Grab one before they’re gone!

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

360° Photobooth Try a unique photo experience near the Main Bar!

7:00 – 7:45 p.m.

Up Close Animal Encounters Get face-to-face with extraordinary creatures on the Faces of the Rainforest Plaza!

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Presenting Sponsor

Elephant Entourage

Snow Leopard League Janci Foundation Yolanda L’Archevesque Kenneth & Barbara Ruscetta Sponsor listing as of 6/21/24

Bison Brigade

S

Tree Kangaroo Crew Automatic Temperature Controls, Inc.

First Hartford Realty Corporation

The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company

Jonathan & Maya Nelson

Domenic & Sandy Coletta The Color House, Inc.

In Memory of Rocky, Brody, & Andromeda

Dimeo Construction Company

Saccoccio & Associates Architects

Don Julio Tequila

Parsons Capital Management, Inc.

Gibbon Gang A.B. Munroe Dairy

Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP

Coastline Trust Company

Ron & Joanne Patalano

David & Kelsey Coletta

Rhode Island Football Club

Delta Dental of Rhode Island

SDS Disposal, Inc.

DiSanto Priest Charitable Foundation

SSA Group

Pam & Bill Heffernan

The Stoico / FIRSTFED Foundation

Massage Envy

Mary B. “Polly” Wall

Miles River Direct

Washington Trust

Jack Murray & Lynn Morgan

Tortoise Troop Nancy J. Allen

Pier Fish Company

Happy Birthday Jean Aubin

Lahlaf Geotechnical Consulting, Inc.

Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort

Kathryn Lewis

Big Blue Bug Solutions

Liberty Cedar, Inc.

Bock Foundation

Lincoln Energy Mechanical Services, Inc.

Donna Welk Cameron Gricus

Mather Rescue

Cherry Chun

Navigant Credit Union

Deal Electric LLC Sarah Denby

Donna M. Ottaviano, Ed.D. East Bay Educational Collaborative

Eastern Ice

Karen & Stephen Prest

Cindy & Michael Erickson

Providence Periodontics

EW Burman, Inc.

R.I. Container Products, Inc.

Meg Ferguson

Roxanne Beretta, Realtor RE/MAX

Ferestien Feed & Farm Supply

Signature Printing

Mr. & Mrs. John Forcino

Spirol

Jennifer Foster

Storrens Consulting Corp.

General Environmental Services, Inc.

Warwick Mall

KPMG LLP

David & Jill Wolff

Special Thank You Rhode Island Zoological Society Staff Roger Williams Park Zoo Staff Sponsor listing as of 6/21/24

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Attention Guests: Photographs will be taken by Zoo staff during the course of the evening for use in future public relations materials such as our annual report, on-site event promotion posters, invitations, or on social media.

Your Generous Support Makes a Difference!

• engaging and educating the public • • bringing the wonder of wildlife to the community • • saving threatened and endangered species •

PLAZA

Thanks to these fabulous food and beverage providers!

Event Entry Area

(serving time 5:30-7:30pm) High Noon / Fishers Island Lemonade Little Rhody Foods / Del’s Lemonade Kristi’s Kraftails Massage Envy R1 Indoor Karting

Lower Zoo

(serving time 6:00-8:30pm) Hangry Kitchen Kabob & Curry / Rasa / Rasoi / Chaska Lake Taco Lily’s Soups & Scoops The Original Italian Bakery SSA Group at Roger Williams Park Zoo Terrazza Trinity Brewhouse

Upper Zoo

(serving time 6:00-9:30pm) Ceviches by Divino Don Julio Edible Arrangements Fisher’s Island Lemonade / High Noon GG’s Pretzels GPub Hill’s Home Market Legal Sea Foods Mare Rooftop The Martucci Group featuring: Besos, Chianti’s Catering, KAI, Pasta Patch, Safehouse, The Trap Brew Pub & Grill Mill’s Tavern Restaurant Neon Marketplace

PVD Noodle Bar Red Stripe Restaurant Res American Bistro Shake Shack Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill

Desserts Corner Market Café Gregg’s Restaurants Sarcastic Sweets Starbucks Coffee Company Three Wishes Bakery Val’s English Tea & Pie Shop

Beverage Providers Douglas Wine & Spirits Eastern Ice Pepsi Bottling Company

Drink Tickets - $4 each 1 ticket 2 tickets 3 tickets

Soda/Bottled Water Beer/Wine/RTD Cocktails Zootinis & Mixed Drinks

Don’t miss out!

Bid on these exciting items!

The online auction is open for bidding until Monday, July 1, 12:00 p.m.

Visit biddingforgood.com/rwpzooauction

Sports

Gameday and Grub - Worcester Red Sox & Grub Guru - $86 Value

A Four-Pack of Tickets to a Providence Bruins Game - $160 Value

2 Tickets to see the Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics in the Effectv Suite - $1,000 Value

6 Club Level Tickets to See the New England Revolution vs. Nashville SC with Parking- $790 Value

Zoo VIP

An Original Giraffe Painting - Priceless

A Behind the Scenes VIP Red Panda Encounter - Priceless

A Behind the Scenes VIP Serval Encounter - Priceless

Be a Keeper for a ‘Day’ – Adaptations Adventure - Priceless

Get-Away

7 Night Stay in Antigua at the Saint James’s Club - $3,600 Value

An Overnight Stay at the Westin Copley Place Boston and Red Sox Tickets - $850 Value

Don’t miss out!

Bid on these exciting items!

Get-Away

Overnight at the Omni Providence Hotel and Dinner at Fleur - $480 Value

Block Island Excursion - $100 Value

Entertainment

2 Tickets to Outlaw Festival at Xfinity Center on July 2nd - $180 Value

A Paired Five-Course Chef’s Tasting for Two at Gracie’s - $340 Value

A Historic Family Adventure in Boston - $68 Value

Level99 Outing for Four - $120 Value

What you need to know: WINE & BEER BAZAAR Help support the Zoo and purchase a wine bottle or a six pack of beer with a surprise gift certificate valued at $25 or more

There’s still time to bid!

The online auction is open for bidding until Monday, July 1, 12:00 p.m. Visit biddingforgood.com/ rwpzooauction

Visit the new Dessert Bar

Don’t forget to save room for desserts near the gift shop

Last Call is at 10:30pm

Buy your drink tickets before heading to the Zootini Cocktail Bar

Stop by the American Association of Zookeepers booth to learn more about its mission to advance professional animal care and conservation.

2024 Zoobilee Online Auction and Wine & Beer Bazaar Donors Thank you to the following friends who generously donated unique items for this year’s online auction and wine/beer bottle bazaar.

A.B. Munroe Dairy, Inc. Alma Gaucha Prime Brazilian Steakhouse

Cedarland Amazement Center Charles Riverboat Company

GENTS Barbershop and Spa Ghost Tours of Newport, RI Golfer’s Warehouse

Aloft Boston Seaport

Chaska

Aloft Providence Downtown

The Cheesecake Factory

The AMP

Christy’s Liquors

Grapes & Grains Fine Wine & Spirits

Andino’s Restaurant

The Coast Guard House Restaurant

The Great Escape Room Providence

Audrain Automobile Museum

Coffee Connection

The Grub Guru

Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Coffee Exchange

The Guild Pawtucket

Comedy Connection RI

Hangry Kitchen

Avon Cinema

Concord Museum

Hartford Yard Goats

Ballet RI

Crudo

Bally’s Twin River Lincoln

Daniel Doke Photography

Harvard Museums of Science and Culture

Bayside Resort

Hawthorne Hotel

Beans & Buns

Dave & Buster’s of Providence

Pamela & Bill Heffernan

BENEFITNESS Pilates Studio and Training Center

The Discovery Museums

Helado Taiyaki

Douglas Wine & Spirits

Henry Bear’s Park

Bertucci’s

Dunkin Donuts

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Binge BBQ

Durk’s Bar-B-Q

Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum

EcoTarium

The House of the Seven Gables

Apponaug Brewing Company

The Block Island Ferry Block Island Inns Block Island Resorts, Inc. Blount Fine Foods Boston College Athletic Department Boston Red Sox

Edible Arrangements Effectv Elite Island Resorts Elizabeth’s Portofino Endicott Dance Cindy M. Erickson and Michael Erickson Escape Rhode Island

Bradford Portraits

Gracie’s

Hy-Line Cruises Iggy’s iHeartMedia Incred-A-Bowl India Restaurant The Industrious Spirits Company The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston

Brewed Awakenings

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Bromley Mountain

Feast & Fettle

Buttonwoods Brewery

Fleur Providence

Jackson Ski Touring Foundation

Cardi’s Furniture Co.

Frances Fleet

The Jefferson Speakeasy

Carl M. Freeman Companies Carrabba’s Italian Grill

The Freedom Trail Foundation

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Catering by Dave’s Marketplace

Friskie Fries

Kaplan Tutoring Services, Inc.

Gamm Theatre

Kay’s Restaurant

CAV Restaurant

Gasbarro’s Wines

Knight’s Liquor Warehouse

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The auction is open until Monday, July 1 at 12:00pm.

Visit biddingforgood.com/rwpzooauction to place your bid!

La Gondola Providence

Brad Pari, Realtor

Latte Love Coffeehouse

Patriot Place

Leo’s Ristorante

Pats Peak

Level 99

Peabody Essex Museum

Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery

People’s Liquor Warehouse

Little Kids, Inc Lizzie Borden House Lotus Pepper Luciano’s Dr. Francois Luks The Malted Barley Mare Rooftop

Pepsi Bottling Company

Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Howl at the Moon Springfield Museums SSA Group

Petco

Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre

Douglas Phillips

Story Land

Pinkberry Garden City

Sundaes Ice Cream

Planning for Good

Swan Boats of Boston

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Sweenor’s Chocolates

Poco Loco Tacos

Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille

Presto Strango

Maria’s Cucina

Snookers Sports Billiards Bar and Grill

Providence Bruins

Thames and Kosmos

Providence Children’s Museum

Theatre By The Sea Tiny Bar

Providence College

TopGolf

Providence Noodle Bar

Town Pizza

Providence Performing Arts Center

The Treehouse Tavern & Bistro

Meritage Restaurant

Providence River Boat Company

Treetop Adventures

Monster Mini Golf

PVD Food Truck Events

Montaup Country Club

Quality Rental Centers Inc

Mulligan’s Island Golf & Entertainment Center

Rack Room Shoes

The Mark Twain House & Museum Mary Originals Massachusetts Audubon Society Massage Envy Spa Mastery Martial Arts

Mystic Seaport Museum Narragansett Beer New England Revolution Charitable Foundation New Harvest Coffee Roasters

The Newport Experience Newport Harbor Corporation

Norman Bird Sanctuary North Smithfield Liquor Warehouse Not Your Average Joe’s Old Sturbridge Village Old Town Trolley Tours Omni Providence Hotel O’Rourke’s Bar & Grill

Rhode Island Football Club Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School

Newport Creamery

Nick’s Pizza

Rhode Island Comic Con Rhode Island Monthly

Newport Art Museum

Newport Polo

Red Stripe Restaurants Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel

Native Plant Trust

Newport Playhouse

Carol Rebussini

Rhode Island Spirits RISD Museum Rock Spot Climbing Gym Ross-Simons Jewelers Rustigian Rugs Salem Witch Museum Salem Witch Village George Salter Sam’s New York System Save The Bay, Inc. Shannon View Inn

Triggs Memorial Golf Course Twin Oaks Restaurant TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill Uhlman’s Ice Cream Val’s English Tea & Pie Shop WaterFire Providence WCTK The Westin Copley Place, Boston Whisky Mentors White Dog Distilling Willow Tree Wines & More Wonderworks Orlando Woodlawn Gardens Florist Worcester Red Sox WPRI 12 & Fox Providence Wright’s Dairy Farm Inc. Yagi Noodles Yip Fitness Zoo Atlanta Zoo New England ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Shaw’s Sin Desserts The auction is open until Monday, July 1 at 12:00pm.

Visit biddingforgood.com/rwpzooauction to place your bid!

Thank You for Your Support!

We are grateful for your presence tonight. It is through your support at events like Zoobilee, that the Zoo is able to contribute to the conservation of our earth’s animals and natural resources.

Because of YOU this year we are able to: • Create memories for nearly 800,000 guests.

• Provide exceptional medical care to over 600 Zoo animals.

• Bring the Zoomobile to over 5,000 school children last year.

• Share the importance of wildlife conservation with thousands of students who come on field trips, engage with the Zoomobile, partake in virtual programming or participate in internships.

• Provide curriculum appropriate environmental science programming to over 125 schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

• Save animals both locally and globally including the American burying beetle, New England Cottontail, red wolf, Matschie’s tree kangaroo and snow leopard.

Thanks to you, Roger Williams Park Zoo continues to instill a sense of wonder and caring for the natural world in all those who visit.

2024 Zoobilee Ambassadors Cheryl Cohen Co-Chair

Pamela Heffernan Co-Chair

Pam Alarie

Corrie Ignagni

Cathy Azzoli

Judy Lockard

Sara Beatrice

Beth Mattera

Claire Carrabba

Damaris Messina

Susan Catanzaro

John Mullen

Bob Conrad

Jack Murray

Jaime DeCosta

Ron Patalano

Katrina Delicato

Zachary Remson

Sarah Denby

Vicki Scharfberg

Renee Evangelista

Tempie Thompson

Jennifer Foster

Lauren Ustaszewski

Elizabeth Grover

Sara Walsh

Kathy Haronian

Eric Weiner

Presented by

Saturday, June 29, 2024 Saturday, June 29, 2024

Zootini Cocktail Bar Here’s your once-a-year chance to enjoy a refreshing Zoo-themed cocktail! All proceeds from the Zootini Cocktail Bar (and all Zoobilee bars) benefit the Roger Williams Park Zoo. So, have a great time (responsibly) while helping out a worthy cause.

Donated by Douglas Wine & Spirits

Wine & Beer Bazaar Purchase a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer for $35 and win a gift certificate guaranteed to be valued at $25. But most are worth much more! Do you want to win a gift certificate to area restaurants?

Then pick up a bottle or a six-pack (or two) to win!

Groove to the Music of Mystique Saturday, June 29, 2024

Put on your boogie shoes and dance the night away! Named Boston A-List’s Best Wedding Band of 2014, Mystique likes to party and it shows.

They play a wide variety of music with a high energy performance that you won’t soon forget!

Presented by