Potter Park Zoo's Rhino Romp Will Take Place June 13, 2009

By Billie Harris 

Lansing, MI - Potter Park Zoo is offering up some good old fashioned family fun on Saturday, June 13, 2009 with “Rhino Romp,” an event featuring a wide array of family fun activities including the new and improved one mile kids’ race.

“We are really excited to host this year’s family fun day, with a new name and lots more fun activities,” said Society Director Diane McNeil. “This year’s Rhino Romp will be a good time for the whole family!”

The Rhino Romp event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the zoo with the running of 20-yard Diaper Dash for children age 3 and under. The one-mile kids’ race is a non-competitive event for children 12 and under. Each one-mile race participant will receive a medal in recognition of their participation. Pre-registrants for the one-mile kids’ race can pick up their packets and T-shirts at Playmakers in Okemos on June 12th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. or at the zoo on June 13th before 8:30 a.m. This event will lead runners through the zoo offering unique opportunities to see the animals up-close and personal.

Family Fun Day begins at 10:00 a.m. Visitors to the zoo can explore the sports bounce house, listen to Tiger Talks with Zoo Director Gerry Brady, see live animal presentations and watch as the animals discover enrichment treats in honor of the event. Children will get a chance to create original works of art in the Kidz Art Zone, with spin art, sandy candy, sand art and plaster painting. The Mason's will also be creating child identification kits which include DNA sampling, fingerprinting, and photos.

Also available at the event will be a U.S. Army Hum-V with Guitar Hero and an inflatable basketball game, Volks Folks at the Zoo car show, the MSU’s Science Theater, Fox 47’s race cars and drivers, CARD/AMA radio controlled plane/helicopter demonstrations, Abram’s Planetarium displays, and much more.

All proceeds from the event will go toward the zoo’s Rhino Yard Expansion Project.

The zoo’s new renovated rhino exhibit will feature two enlarged outdoor yards and renovations to the rhino building. The exhibit will also feature a canopied viewing area and places for visitors to watch zookeepers work directly with the rhinos.

New rhinos will be acquired when the renovations are complete in early 2010.

“Potter Park Zoo is very dedicated to the care and management of endangered species such as Black Rhinos,” said Brady. “The expansion of the Rhino yard will allow our expert veterinarian staff and keepers to be able to more effectively meet the needs of these animals as well as providing opportunities for the public to learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts.”

Family Fun Day Admission is $4 for residents, $10 for non-residents, $2 for kids up to 16 years old and free for kids 3 and younger. Parking is $2 for Ingham County residents and $4 for non-residents. Wagon rental is available. Registration and entry fee are required for participation in the one-mile kids’ race. Participants, who register before June 9, will receive a discount. All race registrants will receive free parking and zoo admission. No registration is required for the Diaper Dash.

To register for the race or to find more information on this event, please visit the Web site: www.potterparkzoo.org or call the Society’s office at 517.342.2710. Registration information can also be picked up at any local L&L Food Store or at Playmakers located on 2299 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos. Late registrations will be accepted at the Zoo Entrance Plaza on the day of the event.

Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan. The zoo is open daily year-round, summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (517) 483-4222 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org.

“Discover your NEW zoo!”

To view Potter Park Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-588-Potter_Park_Zoo