Zoofari, East Tennessee’s “wildest” gala, promises to transport guests to the Orient to honor the Year of the Tiger and also the rarest tiger in U.S zoos. Proceeds from this year’s event will help launch an initiative to conserve the highly endangered Malayan tiger and establish a breeding program sanctioned by the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Zoofari will be held on Saturday, June 5, from 6:30 p.m. until midnight at Knoxville Zoo.
In its 23rd year, Zoofari is Knoxville Zoo’s largest annual fundraiser. Drawing over 500 attendees each year, this one-of-a-kind fete invites guests to mingle with some of the exotic creatures who reside at the zoo before enjoying an elegant dinner catered by Copper Cellar. Perhaps the most anticipated highlight of the evening is the renowned Zoofari Live Auction conducted by Sam Furrow, featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as the chance to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders’ meeting, watch a Pittsburgh Steelers home game from the Owner’s Box at Heinz Field or be in the 25 member audience for the live, tell-all taping of the popular reality show “The Bachelorette” in Los Angeles, to name a few. The evening finishes off with the band Kung Pow providing plenty of 80’s tunes to keep guests on the dance floor. With fewer than 500 Malayan tigers estimated to remain in the wild, Knoxville Zoo hopes to use funds raised at Zoofari to make a significant contribution to the conservation of these endangered cats. Proceeds from the event also helps provide care for the more than 800 animals living at the zoo as well.
Tickets must be purchased in advance to attend the event. For more information or to purchase tickets for Zoofari, please visit the zoo’s web site at www.knoxville-zoo.org or call (865) 637-5331, ext. 300. Tickets are $175 each, and dress for the event is “ca-zoo-al”.
