Zoo Atlanta’s most important fundraiser of the year The 2016 Beastly Feast presented by Ford Motor Company Fund on Saturday, May 7, 2016

Elegance, exotic beauty and the power of community support combine at Zoo Atlanta’s most spectacular evening of the year on May 7

ATLANTA, 2016-Apr-18 — /Travel PR News/ — One of Atlanta’s most anticipated black-tie galas returns on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at The Beastly Feast to benefit Zoo Atlanta. Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, serves as the event’s Presenting Sponsor, marking 31 years of consecutive support from the company.

The Beastly Feast, which has raised millions in operating funds for Zoo Atlanta’s conservation and education programs, is the Zoo’s most significant fundraiser of the year. The 2016 theme is Elegant Elephants: A Night to Never Forget, highlighting the majesty of Earth’s largest living land mammal, the African elephant, and the future of elephant care and conservation that is a focus of the Zoo’s “Grand New View: Elephants, Events and Expansion” campaign.

“The Beastly Feast is the most important fundraiser of the year for Zoo Atlanta, and this year’s event is more important than ever before. The proceeds and awareness raised on this single evening have the potential to ensure the Zoo’s place in a new category of leadership, stewardship and excellence in animal care, conservation and education,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “We’re very grateful to our friends at Ford Motor Company for their astounding record of longtime support for this event.”

Gigi Rouland serves as the 2016 Beastly Feast Chair. Beastly Feast Executive Committee members are Décor Chair Tony Brewer; Hospitality Co-Chair Beth Kytle Chandler; Patron Chair Sandra Edwards; Hospitality Co-Chair Matthew Simon; and local Ford Motor Company representative Mark A. Street.

“The long-term partnership between Ford Motor Company and Zoo Atlanta has not only brought the people of Atlanta wildlife discovery destinations such as the Zoo’s Ford African Rain Forest and Living Treehouse, but it has supported sponsored admissions for thousands of underserved children,” said Mark A. Street, who also serves on the Zoo’s Board of Directors. “I encourage our city’s corporate and community leaders to lend their support to an event that creates possibilities, not just for Zoo Atlanta but for the people of Atlanta and Georgia.”

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants and an evening stroll of the Zoo, followed by a seated dinner and dancing in the Zoo’s Ford Pavilion, which will be themed by the creative talents of Tony Brewer & Company. A notable highlight of the event is its silent auction, featuring art, jewelry, antiques, home décor, travel opportunities, boxes at sporting and cultural events, exclusive Zoo experiences and much more.

Advance reservations are required. Individual tickets are available beginning at $450. Tables for 10 are available beginning at $5,000. To inquire about the benefits of various tickets and tables, call 404.624.5836. Visit zooatlanta.org to learn more.

Zoo Atlanta will close early on Saturday, May 7, in preparation for The Beastly Feast. Ticket booths will close at 2 p.m.; Zoo grounds will close at 3 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
Viewed as one of the finest zoological institutions in the U.S. and a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta has a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family experiences. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. The Zoo’s newest destination, Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, featuring more than 70 species in a 111,000 square-foot complex, opened in April 2015. Zoo collection highlights include Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; North America’s largest zoological collection of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Up-close-and-personal animal experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, giant pandas, lemurs and Aldabra giant tortoises. Zoo Atlanta is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD.

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