In addition to seeing the animals at the Zoo, children and their families can kick up their spurs and participate in these fun events:

·         Take a hayride along the Dusty Trail (Tram Stop)

·         Settle in for a good ol’ campfire story (Ndoki Plaza)

·         Rope a steer (near giraffe exhibit)

·         Dig for gold at the Riverbanks Gold Mine (Ape Island)

·         Play games on The Tumbleweed Trail (Ape Island)

·         Pet a pony, milk a cow, feed a goat (Riverbanks Farm)

·         Saddle up for a wild ride on the carousel (Carousel Plaza)

·         Watch the live performance of The Lazyville Animal Mystery

Of course, a trip to the Zoo isn’t complete without checking out some of our amazing animals. All of the animals will be on exhibit, and some will receive special enrichment treats. Scheduled animal presentations will take place throughout the evening, including a gorilla food toss, penguin feeding and an aquarium dive where guests can ask the diver questions about all the fish in the tank.

A complimentary picnic buffet will be offered for all families; and on their way out, kids will receive a special gift.

Dreamnight takes place annually worldwide on the first Friday evening in June. Thirty-seven zoos in the United States along with 195 zoos from other countries will participate in the event this evening. For a complete list of all participating zoos, please visit www.dreamnightatthezoo.nl.

Who:                Entertainment will be provided by the following groups:

·         Sugarloaf Mountain Boys (Palmetto Plaza)

·         Tanglefoots Square Dance Club (Palmetto Plaza)

·         Columbia Classical Ballet Dancers

·         Palmetto Posse Cowboys & Cowgirls

·         Airport High School Cheerleaders

·         Sparkles the Clown

·         Rustler Ray’s Hoedown - 8:00pm (Palmetto Plaza)

When:              Friday, June 5, 2009

                        6:00pm – 8:30pm

Where:             Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

                        500 Wildlife Parkway

                        Columbia, SC 29210

Tickets:            Dreamnight is an invitation only event. During Dreamnight at the Zoo, the park remains closed to the public and Dreamnight families are admitted free of charge. Children who have been treated at PHCH are invited by physicians and staff to Dreamnight. Each child is allowed up to five tickets to invite his or her family or care giver. In many cases, these children are accompanied by the nurses and doctors who work with them on a day-to-day basis.