Interactive Experiences

9am-2pm | Festival Field

The Zoo's Festival Field will be filled with fun activities and games from the Zoo docents and volunteers. Plus, our friends from local organizations will be onsite to share tips about living green and how to become involved.

Fossil Talk

11:30am | Amphitheater

Tapirs in Tennessee?!?! Come listen to Dr. Steven Wallace of the Gray Fossil Site and learn about tapirs, rhinos, mastodons, and other fossils found by him and his team right here in Tennessee! Talk at 11:30 in the amphitheater.

Recycled Art Contest

10am-2pm | Savannah Loop

Enter the Recycled Art Contest for a chance to win a free Zoo Membership. Art pieces will be displayed at the Zoo during Party for the Planet and judged by a panel made up from members of local organizations.  The contest will be divided into three age categories: PreK - 2nd Grade; 3rd-6th Grade; 7th-12th Grade. Three winners in each category will receive following prizes:

• 1st - Family Membership
• 2nd - Four Pack of Zoo tickets with a Parking Pass
• 3rd- Two Pack of Zoo Tickets with a Parking Pass

One artwork submission per person. All artwork cannot be larger than 12inches x 12inches square. All artwork must be submitted at the Croft Center between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. April 15-18 to be eligible. 

Pre-registration required. Turn your recycling into artwork!

Special Keeper Talks

Catch one of our special talks, tours, and shows throughout the day to learn about what the Zoo is doing to protect some of the planet’s most endangered creatures.

9:30 - Andean Bear Keeper Talk
9:30 - Bat (inside Unseen New World) Keeper Talk
10:00 - White Rhinoceros Keeper Talk
10:00 - White-Cheeked Gibbon Keeper Talk
10:00 - Galapagos Tortoise Keeper Talk
10:30 - Kangaroo Feeding
10:30 - Giant Tortoise Keeper Talk
11:30 - Red-ruffed Lemur Keeper Talk
12:30 - Mexican Spider Monkey Keeper Talk
1:30 - White Rhino Keeper Talk
1:30 - Currasow Keeper Talk
2:00 - Aviary Keeper Talk
2:00 - Giraffe Keeper Talk
2:30 - Tapir Keeper Talk
3:30 - Barn Owl Keeper Talk (at the Historic Farm)
4:00 - Clouded Leopard Keeper Talk

Conservation Projects from Croft Middle School

10am-2pm | Education Outpost Trail

Our neighbors from Croft Middle Prep have been working to complete animal conservation projects of their own design throughout the school year. As part of our Party for the Planet, students will be showcasing their completed projects for Zoo guests along the Education Outpost Trails from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Students will be on-hand to discuss their projects and answer questions about the animals and habitats they have been researching.