Presented by the Cleveland Zoological Society
Friday June 11, 2010

There's always something magical about the Cleveland Zoo. Just being at the zoo with all it's sight and sounds, animals and foliage is a wonderful time. Add beautifully decorated tables, appetizers, your favorite drinks, a delicious sit down dinner, the Jerry Bruno Orchestra "A Band" and you have something even more special.

The 37th annual ZippityZooDoo event is the place to experience all the above! Held each year in June, The Cleveland Zoological Society hosts one of Cleveland's landmark fundraising events. Complete with large, sprawling tents, perfectly placed accent lighting and more, party goers find this a Friday event not to miss.

Awaiting each arrival is valet parking right at the front doorsteps of the zoo with staff to welcome everyone. Guests then head into the party for drinks and hors d'oeurves to kick off the event. And who can forget being introduced to some of the zoo's smaller residences? It really is something special to see up-close a beautiful owl or the large yellow snake that leaves you just having to get a closer look.

Walking through the colorful main tent with it's beautifully decorated dinner tables left everyone excited about what was to come as they headed towards the silent auction tent. And with the music of the Jerry Bruno Orchestra in the air, it's easy to take a deep breath and leave your worries behind. 

The silent auction item of the event was a fabulous, one-of-a-kind sculpture of an orangutan sculpted from a block of Indian limestone. Created by talented artist and sculptor David Petlowany, who was on hand for the event, it carried a $2,000 value. But, as in the past, his creation well exceeded the value with the final bid landing at $4,500 to the delight of everyone in attendance, including the winning bidder.

The excitement of high bidding didn't end at the silent auction, either.  The live auction was just as exciting with the "Name That Sign" item to own the name of the African Savanna walkway for a year raising $5,000! And the fund-a-need program, designed to raise money for scholarships for Cleveland children brought in $33,000 within just a few moments! Another testimony to the generosity of the people of Northeast Ohio.

Upon completion of the dinner program, the Jerry Bruno Orchestra "A Band" really kicked it into high gear with "Ain't no Mountain High Enough" and had the dance floor packed. They were the icing on the cake; a cake that was beautifully decorated and so delicious you won't want to miss the 38th annual ZippityZooDoo.

See you there! 

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