Sunday, June 14, 2009

What a Night-Indy Zoobilation 2009-A Night on Dragon Island

If you've ever thought about attending Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo, let me just say that you should definitely splurge and buy tickets when they go on sale next year in February. You don’t want to miss out.

What is Zoobilation?

It is Indiana's largest one-day fundraiser. Each year, over $1.2 Million is raised for the zoo. Other zoos have Zoobilation’s but Indy’s is the largest. Yay Indy! It is a black tie affair and everyone is fresh to death (a.k.a. gorgeous, beautiful, stunning)! If you’ve ever wanted to go to the zoo kid-free, and have a fun-filled, classy, night like no other, this is definitely the spot. Indy’s entertainment personalities, executives, and other local celebrities attend this event, so you just might run into that star that you see on tv or hear on the radio!

So, how did I get a ticket to the sold out, hottest spot in town? I’m a Twitterer. Yep, that’s right, I Tweet. I’m one of Indy’s top Twitterers too! (totally just tooted my own horn) I was accepted to join the first ever official Twitter Team that was put together by Indy Hub and the Indy Zoo! It was very, very exciting to hold this title. Thanks to Matt Holley and Karissa Rittmeyer for selecting me! Also, thanks to Chad Richards for being such an awesome Twitter partner. You guys rock!

So here’s a bit of the rundown of what we saw. With 4,200+ attendees and over 70 restaurants and 50+ bars, I didn’t get to see everything because of how amazing every step of the way was… Not to mention the time that we spent in the VIP lounge in the dolphin pavilion watching the beautiful and friendly dolphins. Seriously, a night that can’t be put into enough words. It was like prom for adults at the zoo with endless everything. Yeah, that sounds about right…

Entertainment consisted of Cook & Belle, DJ Slater Hogan, Gamelan Orchestra, Governor Davis & the Blues Ambassadors, Henle and the Loops, Housecats, Living Proof, Peace Train, Sarah Scharbrough, and Sizzlin Gregg Bacon. Arthur Murray had dancers giving dance lessons in the Indiana Live Casino tent. It was truly a happening place! Everywhere you looked, there was either music or dancing!

And the food… Oh. My. Goodness. I have never seen so much food. I’ve been to events that had 20-30 food vendors, but Indy Zoobilation had over 70 restaurants! These restaurants weren’t the average Joe Schmo restaurants either. These were Indy’s finest restaurants. Just to name a few-Ruth Chris, Oceanaire, McCormick & Schmicks, Fogo de Chao, Scholar’s Inn, PF Chang’s, and so many more…

Do you like to drink? Then you absolutely must go to Zoobilation. Olinger Distributing, Coca-Cola, and Miller-Coors donated ALL beverages. I’m talking mojitos, martinis, beer… About every fifth booth was a stand that was nearly a full bar. All the drinks you can drink for the whole evening!



Indy has some really great sponsors that make this event possible.
• Title sponsor-Indianapolis Power & Light
• VIP party sponsor-Indy’s own serial entrepreneur, Scott A Jones
• Stage sponsors-Ambrose Property Group
• Chairman’s hospitality suite-Indiana Live! Casino
• Restaurants coupon book sponsor-Barnes & Thornburg, LLP
• Limo wrap sponsors-Margaritaville Tequila, Bacardi, and Luxco Pearl Vodka
• Official hotel sponsor-Omni Severin-The after party was held here! (This hotel is absolutely beautiful and is located right smack in the center of beautiful Downtown Indy. Check them out!)
• Beverage sponsors-Coca-Cola, Coors Brewing, and Olinger Distributing
• Restaurant judging sponsor-Indianapolis DINE Magazine
• Zoobilation restaurants Day at the Zoo sponsor-Citizens Gas
• Zoobilation spa sponsor-Woodhouse Day Spa-They were there giving massages AT THE ZOO!
• Event décor-BMG, Eventfull Planning, and Detail & Design
• Event VIP transportation-Exclusive Limousine

We didn’t make it to the Woodhouse Day Spa nor did I ride the roller coaster-Oh yeah, this is the only fundraiser in town that has a roller coaster and a Sponge Bob Square Pants 3-D fun ride, but we did get to see the komodo dragons, which is where the title of the event came from. They are huge! We had so much fun taking it all in. I forgot my camera, but did have my phone to take pictures with, so above you will see some of my pics and below you'll see the live streaming videos that I got of the dolphins that were the highlight of my night, Arthur Murray dancers, and more. Enjoy!









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