[Columbia, SC] - On the evening of Saturday, October 11, the wildest party in town will take place at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Guests will be immersed in some of the world’s most fascinating habitats as they engage in an exotic adventure at this year’s Riverbanks ZOOfari – the Zoo’s premier fundraiser.

“Riverbanks ZOOfari is an opportunity for our supporters to experience the wild side of Riverbanks,” said Satch Krantz, executive director of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “In addition to this being an evening to showcase the best of Riverbanks to our loyal community, ZOOfari is the Zoo’s largest fundraiser. All proceeds raised at ZOOfari go directly to providing the animals with the highest quality care and our guests with the experience they expect from a world-class attraction.”

The evening begins at 7pm with a giant reception overlooking the elephants. Guests will enter through the Ndoki Gateway and be led through Riverbanks Conservation Outpost to the Ndoki Forest by African dancers and drummers from the Adandé Drum and Dance Company. As guests journey through the jungle during the cocktail hour, they will discover delectable hors d’oeuvres, including lollipop lamb chops, chilled ceviche, petite beef wellington and marinated quail breast wrapped in bacon.

When the clock strikes 8pm, party-goers will voyage to a feast under-the-sea. The Palmetto Plaza will be transformed into an under-water wonderland. The melody of steel drums played by Pantasia will set the scene for a sit-down buffet dinner under the stars. Guests are encouraged to sample all of the mouth-watering menu items. From shoyu chicken with citrus glaze and herbs and kahlua pork with sautéed cabbage to tempura-battered mahi mahi and sesame barbeque beef, there will be something for every palate.

The highlight of the evening will be at 9pm when the live auction gets rolling. As guests dine on dessert, they can bid on some rare opportunities. Some of the items that are on the block for this year’s auction are the naming rights to lion cub #5, a chance to give an elephant a pedicure (with the help of the hoofstock team, of course) and an opportunity to have a cocktail party with our tuxedo-clad penguins. And one lucky guest will score the ultimate backyard makeover designed by Riverbanks horticulturists.

If the live auction doesn’t suit your style, the silent auction has some equally cool opportunities. You might even go home with a painting from the nationally recognized artist – Ricky the rockhopper penguin.

Tickets for Riverbanks ZOOfari are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.riverbanks.org, by phone at 803.779.8717 x1601 or at any Riverbanks ticket booth. There are a limited number of tickets for the event and reservations are required by October 8.  

No matter what the weather, the show will still go on. ZOOfari will be a wild time, rain or shine.

Riverbanks ZOOfari is sponsored by Riverbanks Society, the private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting the needs of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible.