September, 2016– Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (JZG) is proud to announce that they are going to welcome the one millionth visitor in the next few days and have a week full of festivities to celebrate the milestone achievement. The Zoo is already smashing attendance records having welcomed more than 986,000 guests in this fiscal year, nearly 50,000 more than last year.
The Zoo will be awarding the one millionth visitor with a zoo-riffic gift basket. The basket includes two general admission tickets to Brew at the Zoo, a year-long Family membership, a painting completed by one of the Zoo’s animal residents, a behind-the-scenes tour for six people, and lots of special Zoo merchandise.
To show their thanks to the community for the continued support, the Zoo is having Guest Appreciation Week beginning Friday, September 23 and running through the end of the month. General admission to the Zoo will be just $10 for everyone, when purchased at the gate. Memberships to the Zoo will be 10% off. Current members can purchase value bands at $2 off their regular price and bring two friends for free. Additionally, there will be a table set up so guests can enter to win four tickets to the sold-out Brew at the Zoo.
Guest Appreciation Week will peak on Saturday, September 24. The Zoo will be filled with activity such as a DJ in the Range of the Jaguar, face painters in the Trout River Gardens, animal encounters throughout the Zoo, garden tours, and keeper chats.
“We are very thankful for the support of our members and guests,” said Chairman of the Board, Jed Davis. “With your continued backing, we will reach one million visitors and continue to be the most-visited attraction in NE Florida. It’s because of your patronage that we are able to contribute to conservation efforts locally and across the globe.”
With all of the excitement happening at the Zoo in the next week, will you be the lucky millionth visitor?
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About Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
For over 100 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has aimed to inspire the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experiences in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection of one red deer fawn, the Zoo now has more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 species of plants, boasting the largest botanical garden in Northeast Florida. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit organization and a portion of every ticket sold goes to the over 45 conservation initiatives Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens supports around the world, and here in NE Florida. JZG is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For more information, visit jacksonvillezoo.org.