Mayor Leppert Joins the Zoo

The Mighty, Mighty Hands of Tom Leppert continue to have their fingers in all manner of city life. This time it’s the Dallas Zoo getting the jab, with its crazily titled “Giraffes, Monkeys & Lepperts” event. And it seems, perhaps after reading Zac’s post, that Mayor Tom is finally ready to let his hair down:

Thanks to the support and hard work of countless people, businesses and organizations, we have lots of reasons to celebrate, said Mayor Leppert. We’ve tackled tough issues; now it’s time to lighten up!

Visitors get to watch Leppert cut his birthday cake and carefully manage his monkeysphere. Jump for the details.

DALLAS (June 11, 2008) – Almost a year to the day from the 2007 Dallas mayoral election, Mayor Tom Leppert will host “Giraffes, Monkeys & Lepperts — An Evening with the Mayor” at Dallas Zoo North, on Friday (June 13) from 6 – 9 p.m.  Dallas citizens and families are invited.  Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children 3 and over, and free for children under 3.  Attire is “safari casual.”

General activities are from 6 – 9 p.m. (see attached two-sided pdf for details). At 7:30 p.m., Mayor Leppert’s birthday – which is June 15  — will be celebrated early with free birthday cake served to the first 500 people. At that time, he will also deliver brief remarks.

The celebration event comes after a jam-packed year for Mayor Leppert – highlights include the City budget approval adding 200 new police officers, the go-ahead vote on the Trinity River Project, the Jubilee Park revitalization and the arrival of Comerica as the first corporate headquarters to return to Downtown Dallas in 20 years.  Mayor Leppert also partnered with Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa, along with organizations like Chesapeake Energy and Education is Freedom, to launch a number of educational initiatives to strengthen Dallas public schools.

“Thanks to the support and hard work of countless people, businesses and organizations, we have lots of reasons to celebrate,” said Mayor Leppert. “We’ve tackled tough issues; now it’s time to lighten up!”

The “Giraffes, Monkey & Lepperts” event is family-friendly evening that will feature three entertainment areas.  Guests are encouraged to “take a safari” through Zoo North (best to see the tiger, cheetah, tamarins and rhinos before their 7:45 p.m. bedtime!).

The free kids activities – located in the “Entertain Your Herd” area – include face painting, magical acts, caricature artists, crafts for kids (inside the Discovery House), storytelling by the Dallas Public Library’s Annette Brown, games, bounce house and obstacle course, butterfly exhibit, musical performances, “touch and feel” animals, free photos by the Flamingo Pond, carousel rides and more.

Entertainment includes music by Havana NRG, percussionists Mark Shelton, a steel drum band, and Jamal Mohamed performing on African drums, Chinese gong and Indian tambourines.

The “Feeding Trough” will feature a variety of Zoo concessions, like burgers, hot dogs, salads and ice cream, available for purchase, or guests may bring their own picnic to enjoy in the park. The “Take A Safari” area features the Otter Outpost, the Endangered Tiger Habitat, Bug U, Wings of Wonder, Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit, the Bird & Reptile Building, the Primate Place and the Tamarin Treetops.

Zoo North at the Dallas Zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. Parking is free.  No glass containers or alcoholic beverages are allowed.