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Health & Fitness

PARTY ANIMALS

There's going to be a huge, wild party up the hill on Portola this Saturday night. Craft beers, gourmet food, great bands, and more. Be there!

Make that “Party For The Animals.” That’s what this weekend’s 3rd Annual Brew at the Zoo is all about. The Brew is more than 20 craft beers, the Zoo is The Living Desert, and there will be lots of delicious food provided by 26 food vendors, three stages featuring three bands, and freedom to wander the zoo and commune with the animals (if they choose to come out of their homes to see what’s going on – remember they worked all day and might be tired).

Here’s the deal. There are two standard ticket categories: Regular admission is $40 for Living Desert members and $55 for nonmembers. If you’re not a member, you can sign up online at livingdesert.org in a heartbeat, get the discounted ticket price for as many tickets as you want, and enjoy member benefits for the next 12 months. Your event ticket gets you ten 4-oz. beer pours and 8 deluxe appetizers of your choice. Wine is available, soft drinks are free, and you can wander the zoo paths at will.

And then there’s the VIP ticket for $175, $100 of which is tax deductible.  The VIP Lounge at the Chase Gallery & Reception Garden has its own band, its own food and beverage service provided by La Quinta Resort & Spa’s restaurants and, get
this, private visits from some of the special onsite residents. For sure the New Guinea Singing Dog, known as the Caruso of Canines (which are extinct in
the wild), will drop by for a song or two.

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One of the handsome servals from Sub-Saharan Africa will attend, and it’s quite possible that Mr. Prickles, the new North American Porcupine will make his public debut. VIPs also get reserved parking, chair massages, and a beautiful bottle of wine to take home.

They’re expecting 1,500 attendees this year, and that’s not a crowd when you’re on 1,800 acres (1,000 of which are in their natural state), and there’s plenty of parking. The organization strives to be the safest, fun-filled party of the year and is giving a $15 ticket discount to designated drivers and discounted taxi service home is available. Event proceeds provide food and medical care for the 500 animals in residence, and you can somehow sense when you visit them that they appreciate your support.

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So gather your friends and family for this one-of-a-kind party and, above all, wear flat shoes!

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