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,
Get ready for an exciting encounter with several of our amazing animals!
Welcome
• Kait Walsh and Melissa Sardelli –WPRI Morning Team
Exclusive Live Animal Presentation:
Up Close and Personal
• Stacey Johnson, RIZS Executive Director
8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
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
Events Not To Be Missed!
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Extraordinary Rendition Band
-Enjoy lively music as you enter the Zoo!
Animal Encounters -
Meet our fascinating animals up close in the Lower Zoo!
Natural Encounters Bird Presentation
Experience the wonders of our feathered friends!
Step & Repeat
Capture an Instagram-worthy moment near our new serval exhibit! Tag us #RWPZOO
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
Sponsor listing as of 6/21/24
Kenneth & Barbara Ruscetta
Bison Brigade
Tree Kangaroo Crew
Automatic Temperature Controls, Inc.
The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company
Domenic & Sandy Coletta
The Color House, Inc.
Dimeo Construction Company
Don Julio Tequila S
First Hartford Realty Corporation
Jonathan & Maya Nelson
Parsons Capital Management, Inc.
In Memory of Rocky, Brody, & Andromeda
Saccoccio & Associates Architects
Gibbon Gang
A.B. Munroe Dairy
Coastline Trust Company
David & Kelsey Coletta
Delta Dental of Rhode Island
DiSanto Priest Charitable Foundation
Pam & Bill Heffernan
Massage Envy
Miles River Direct
Jack Murray & Lynn Morgan
Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP
Ron & Joanne Patalano
Rhode Island Football Club
SDS Disposal, Inc.
SSA Group
The Stoico / FIRSTFED Foundation
Mary B. “Polly” Wall
Washington Trust
Tortoise Troop
Nancy J. Allen
Happy Birthday Jean Aubin
Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort
Big Blue Bug Solutions
Bock Foundation
Donna Welk Cameron Gricus
Cherry Chun
Deal Electric LLC
Sarah Denby
Eastern Ice
Cindy & Michael Erickson
EW Burman, Inc.
Meg Ferguson
Ferestien Feed & Farm Supply
Mr. & Mrs. John Forcino
Jennifer Foster
General Environmental Services, Inc.
KPMG LLP
Pier Fish Company
Lahlaf Geotechnical Consulting, Inc.
Kathryn Lewis
Liberty Cedar, Inc.
Lincoln Energy Mechanical Services, Inc.
Mather Rescue
Navigant Credit Union
Donna M. Ottaviano, Ed.D.
East Bay Educational Collaborative
Karen & Stephen Prest
Providence Periodontics
R.I. Container Products, Inc.
Roxanne Beretta, Realtor RE/MAX
Signature Printing
Spirol
Storrens Consulting Corp.
Warwick Mall
David & Jill Wolff
Special Thank You
Rhode Island Zoological Society Staff
Roger Williams Park Zoo Staff
Sponsor listing as of 6/21/24
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.
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 Soda/Bottled Water
2 tickets Beer/Wine/RTD Cocktails
3 tickets Zootinis & Mixed Drinks
Zoo VIP
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
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
Visit the new Dessert 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
Aloft Boston Seaport
Aloft Providence Downtown
The AMP
Andino’s Restaurant
Apponaug Brewing Company
Audrain Automobile Museum
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Avon Cinema
Ballet RI
Bally’s Twin River Lincoln
Bayside Resort
Beans & Buns
BENEFITNESS Pilates Studio and Training Center
Bertucci’s
Binge BBQ
Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum
The Block Island Ferry
Block Island Inns
Block Island Resorts, Inc.
Blount Fine Foods
Boston College Athletic Department
Boston Red Sox
Bradford Portraits
Brewed Awakenings
Bromley Mountain
Buttonwoods Brewery
Cardi’s Furniture Co.
Carl M. Freeman Companies
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Catering by Dave’s Marketplace
CAV Restaurant
Cedarland Amazement Center
Charles Riverboat Company
Chaska
The Cheesecake Factory
Christy’s Liquors
The Coast Guard House Restaurant
Coffee Connection
Coffee Exchange
Comedy Connection RI
Concord Museum
Crudo
Daniel Doke Photography
Dave & Buster’s of Providence
The Discovery Museums
Douglas Wine & Spirits
Dunkin Donuts
Durk’s Bar-B-Q
EcoTarium
Edible Arrangements
Effectv
Elite Island Resorts
Elizabeth’s Portofino
Endicott Dance
Cindy M. Erickson and Michael Erickson
Escape Rhode Island
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Feast & Fettle
Fleur Providence
Frances Fleet
The Freedom Trail Foundation
Friskie Fries
Gamm Theatre
Gasbarro’s Wines
GENTS Barbershop and Spa
Ghost Tours of Newport, RI
Golfer’s Warehouse
Gracie’s
Grapes & Grains Fine Wine & Spirits
The Great Escape Room
Providence
The Grub Guru
The Guild Pawtucket
Hangry Kitchen
Hartford Yard Goats
Harvard Museums of Science and Culture
Hawthorne Hotel
Pamela & Bill Heffernan
Helado Taiyaki
Henry Bear’s Park
Homewood Suites by Hilton
The House of the Seven Gables
Hy-Line Cruises
Iggy’s
iHeartMedia
Incred-A-Bowl
India Restaurant
The Industrious Spirits Company
The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
The Jefferson Speakeasy
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Kaplan Tutoring Services, Inc.
Kay’s Restaurant
Knight’s Liquor Warehouse
La Gondola Providence
Latte Love Coffeehouse
Leo’s Ristorante
Level 99
Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery
Little Kids, Inc
Lizzie Borden House
Lotus Pepper
Luciano’s
Dr. Francois Luks
The Malted Barley
Mare Rooftop
Maria’s Cucina
The Mark Twain House & Museum
Mary Originals
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Massage Envy Spa
Mastery Martial Arts
Meritage Restaurant
Monster Mini Golf
Montaup Country Club
Mulligan’s Island Golf & Entertainment Center
Mystic Seaport Museum
Narragansett Beer
Native Plant Trust
New England Revolution
Charitable Foundation
New Harvest Coffee Roasters
Newport Art Museum
Newport Creamery
The Newport Experience
Newport Harbor Corporation
Newport Playhouse
Newport Polo
Nick’s Pizza
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
Brad Pari, Realtor
Patriot Place
Pats Peak
Peabody Essex Museum
People’s Liquor Warehouse
Pepsi Bottling Company
Petco
Douglas Phillips
Pinkberry Garden City
Planning for Good
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Poco Loco Tacos
Presto Strango
Providence Bruins
Providence Children’s Museum
Providence College
Providence Noodle Bar
Providence Performing Arts Center
Providence River Boat Company
PVD Food Truck Events
Quality Rental Centers Inc
Rack Room Shoes
Carol Rebussini
Red Stripe Restaurants
Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
Rhode Island Comic Con
Rhode Island Football Club
Rhode Island Monthly
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School
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
Shaw’s Sin Desserts
Snookers Sports Billiards Bar and Grill
Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Howl at the Moon
Springfield Museums
SSA Group
Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre
Story Land
Sundaes Ice Cream
Swan Boats of Boston
Sweenor’s Chocolates
Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan
Grille
Thames and Kosmos
Theatre By The Sea
Tiny Bar
TopGolf
Town Pizza
The Treehouse Tavern & Bistro
Treetop Adventures
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
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.
