November 2022 News & Updates
A Note from the Zoo Director

Hello Everyone!

November is the month when we focus on gratitude. Every year, I am grateful for the ongoing support of our guests, members, board members, staff, volunteers, donors, and corporate partners.

All of you are critical to helping us achieve our mission of conservation, education and a great guest experience. You've helped make our 100th year everything we hoped it would be. Our Centennial Celebration continues through the end of November with Glow Wild, and this weekend's Centennial Gala.

Have you been to Glow Wild yet? Our family-friendly evening lantern festival is presented Thursdays through Sundays until November 27. Everyone who has come to enjoy this wonderland of larger-than-life illuminated lanterns has raved about how wonderful it is. Don't miss your last chance to see it--or see it again! 

Our Centennial Gala, which is being held on October 29 at the Inn at Longshore in Westport, is SOLD OUT! You can still be a part of the event by bidding on all the incredible Silent and Live Auction items online. The Gala is a major fundraiser for the Zoo, so check out the amazing items donated by members of our community. 

Don't forget to join us on Saturday, October 29 for one of our favorite traditions: Boo at the Zoo! We can't wait to see all the children in costume for an afternoon of spooktacular delights, from 11 a.m. to 3. p.m. 

 Have a Happy Thanksgiving! I'll see you at the Zoo.

-Gregg Dancho

This Month at the Zoo!

TICKETS ON SALE! Glow Wild Lantern Festival

Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world.

This amazing festival will culminate a year of festivities celebrating the Zoo’s 100th birthday and will be held every Thursday - Sunday through November 27. The festival showcases more than 40 large-scale illuminated displays, featuring hundreds of beautiful individual and interactive lanterns.

Spanning the width and breadth of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s 30 acres, guests are invited to walk through glowing corridors. Displays of flora and fauna light up the night sky, dazzling guests of all ages. Glow Wild is designed for everyone to enjoy--whether a family outing, romantic date, or co-worker get together.

Thank you to our sponsors: Our Glow Wild Sponsors are the Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation, and Hamilton Rare Breeds Foundation, along with Premier Sponsors Avangrid (UI, SCG), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), R.D. Scinto and the Emanuel Family, and The Ernest & Joan Trefz Foundation. Select Sponsors are M & T Bank, Newtown Savings Bank and Subway Restaurants. Our Hospitality Sponsor is Homewood Suites by Hilton and our Media Sponsor is WTNH News 8.

BUY  TICKETS

Centennial Gala: Silent Auction October 29

Bidding is open and new items have been added! Set an alarm - this Silent Auction will close on Saturday, October 29th at 8:30 PM. 

NEW! You have the opportunity to purchase Live Auction items at the Instant Buy price so you don't lose out on the opportunity to win one of our five fantastic packages! 

Bid Today

National Bison Day
November 5
Join us at the Research Station and learn more about America’s largest mammal. We'll raise awareness at educational tables highlighting the bison and its conservation story. These giants weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds and eat up to 50 pounds of grasses a day. Vast herds once roamed our prairies and open woodlands but were driven to near extinction by early settlers and bison hunters. The last few animals kept in zoos formed the basis for the entire new (and protected) population.

Thanksgiving Schedule

November 23: Zoo Closes Early

Last ticket sold at noon; Zoo closes at 1:00 p.m.

November 24: Thanksgiving/Zoo CLOSED

100 Years of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

In January, we asked you to share your memories of the Zoo with us as we celebrate 100 years. We'll be sharing them here monthly, as well as on social media.

"I grew up in Bridgeport and my dad took me to the zoo just about every weekend. Monkeys were our favorite! We also loved the Victorian Greenhouse and surrounding gardens. One day a Bridgeport Post photographer was there and snapped my picture." - Patricia Lohotsky

Share Your Zoo Memory

For lots of Americans, Thanksgiving goes hand in hand with a big meal, several kinds of pie, and an afternoon nap. We get it! No need to give up all your usual traditions – but how about sneaking some healthy ones into the mix?

Read more here.

Follow @ConnecticutChildrens on social media for the latest parenting tips from our pediatric experts, brought to you through Connecticut Children's Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare.

ANIMAL FUN FACT

I am known for my beautiful bushy tail but did you know I can hear a watch ticking 40 yards away. Can you guess who I am?

Click for the Answer!

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