BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - June 18, 2012 - One thousand animal lovers, wine aficionados, and food connoisseurs from near and far gathered under the stars for the annual "Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari," benefitting Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, on Saturday, June 2, 2012. The evening included live entertainment as well as a fabulous silent auction.

"This event sells out every year and it's easy to understand why! What could be better than enjoying the Zoo on a beautiful spring night while sampling the best wine, beer, and food the region has to offer?" asked Gregg Dancho, Zoo director. "A special thank you to all of our sponsors who make this an unforgettable evening each year."

The Wine Emporium of Shelton, Conn., returned this year to coordinate the evening's featured wine selections and SBC Restaurant and Brewing created this year's "Zoo Brew," which was a fan favorite. Guests enjoyed selections from CDI Merchants Division; Connecticut Distributors, Inc.; Eder Brothers; Hartley & Parker, CTD; Kra-Ze Spirits; Maja Imports; Martin Scott; New England; Onyx; Opici Wines; Organic Vintages; Peel Liquors; Puglia; Slocum & Sons Imports; Slocum & Sons; WineBow; and World Wide Wines.Beers brewed by Beaver Beer Company, Brooklyn Brewing, Cisco Brewing, GW Brewing, Harpoon, Lagunitas, Northeast, Sam Adams, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, and Sebago were available for sampling.
 
This expedition of taste featured delectable fare from local restaurants and caterers such as Addeo's Italian Ice; Amor de Saffron; Carl Anthony's Trattoria; Chili's Bar & Grill; Chocopologie; Cucina di Carla; David Grant Catering; Fortuna Deli & Caterers; Gelato Giuliana; High on the Hog; Joe's American Bar & Grill; Liquid Lunch; Luigi's Italian Pastries; Rainforest Cafe; Rita's Ice; Smoke & Bones; The Soup Girl; Stockbridge Cheesecakes; Susan Kane Catering; Trader Joe's; and Vazzy's Brick Oven. 

This year, Aquarion Water Company celebrated the winners of its 2nd Annual Connecticut Environmental Champions contest during a special ceremony. Awards went to Champions whose volunteer projects have protected and improved the state's natural resources - its water, air, soils, and plant and wildlife communities.

This spectacular evening was made possible thanks to the generosity of the following organizations and individuals: People's United Bank; Alloy Engineering Company; Dworkin, Hillman, Lamorte & Sterczala; Gulick Building & Development, LLC; Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, PC; Merrit Insurance; Aquarion Water Company; Bob & Maryann Matthews; Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.; Cablevision; NST Systems; Robinson & Cole, LLP; Ken and Sharon Stemme; Brody Wilkinson P.C.; Catherine Ladnier; Mickey Robinson; The Ganim Group, Inc.; The Human Resource Consulting Group; TD Bank; Adelman Hirsch & Newman; Mitchell & Sheahan PC, and Wells Fargo.

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