Gala - Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Join us at the Inn at Longshore in Westport on
Saturday, October 19
for the 5th annual Zoo Gala!

5 PM VIP HOUR
6 PM COCKTAIL HOUR
7 PM PROGRAMMING BEGINS

The Zoo Gala is a wildly fun evening out that benefits conservation efforts and education. All funds raised will go towards the care of our endangered species, expansion of our exhibits, and educational programming.The evening will include a VIP hour, live entertainment, cocktails, dinner, an exciting silent and live auction, & animal encounters!

VIP HOUR
$500/ticket
Join us at VIP Hour to gain early entrance, experience exclusive animal encounters, and unique photo opportunities.

RSVP & PURCHASE YOUR TABLE

EMCEE:
Ashley Baylor
WTNH, Meteorologist

Ashley Baylor has been a meteorologist for almost 18 years. She joined WTNH News 8 in January 2019 after previously working in Virginia, western Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and New York City. Ashley is no stranger to all of the different types of weather we experience in New England! She has covered tornadoes, hurricanes, severe flooding, and blizzards to name a few. Keeping viewers informed for potential impacts is the most important part of the job. In addition to being a meteorologist, she is also a children's book author. Her book, 'Storms and Snow, Skis and Sox: New England's Weather Truly Rocks' was published by Globe Pequot Press in August of 2022. Ashley is also a partner of MAE Designs; a small business that offers event planning, design, and marketing. In her spare time, she enjoys watching the Patriots, playing golf, and advocating for animal welfare. She lives with her husband, her daughter, and four rescue pets.

Keynote Entertainment:
Brian & Teddy Bradley
Skyhunters in Flight

Be amazed as you watch birds of prey fly above you as Brian demonstrates their special powers. Get a closer look at owls, hawks, and falcons from around the world, and learn how these beautiful birds play an important role in our environment at the top of the food chain. Discover their amazing adaptations for survival in the wild and hear about the ancient sport of falconry and its training techniques. See these trained winged-athletes in action through an exciting, informative program for all ages.

Sponsorship Information
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Click below for the complete Sponsorship Guide.

Sponsorship Guide

MOST POPULAR SPONOSRSHIP PACKAGE
Amur Tiger Table Sponsorship
$5,000

One table of 10 at Gala - including two VIP tickets to the event
2 GLOW Wild Tickets
1/4 page black and white ad in program
Recognition on the Zoo's website and social media
Eight individual single-admission passes to the Zoo

Silent Auction Donations

We hope you will consider donating a unique item for our silent or live auctions. We expect 250 guests to join us and help raise funds by bidding on items including vacation rentals, art, gift baskets, gift certificates, event tickets, and more. Your support will be clearly identified in our event program and prominently displayed at the event. Because we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.

Auction DONATION FORM

2023 Gala Highlights

Thank you to our Gala Committee!

Bernadette Baldino ○ Patty Cartwright ○ Lisa Croce Jackson ○ Dean DeBiase ○ Jennifer DiBlanda ○ Judi Cardello ○ Claudette Kunkes ○ Meghan Glynn ○ Nadine Green ○ Lisa DeGoursey ○ Jennifer Jump ○ James Mase ○ Teresa Nakouzi ○ Ashley Olson

CONTACT

Ashley Volkens
Development & Marketing, Director
[email protected] | 203.394.5522

Amanda Webster-Rizzo
Development and Marketing, Manager
[email protected] | 203.394.6573

EMCEE: Ashley Baylor​WTNH, Meteorologist

Keynote Entertainment:Brian & Teddy Bradley Skyhunters in Flight

Sponsorship Information​Interested in becoming a sponsor?​Click below for the complete Sponsorship Guide.