Celebrate Fairy Tails Day at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on September 9

Magical Day for Children with Storybook Characters, Sponsored by Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare
 
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – August 4, 2023 -- Once upon a time in a zoo not so far away, there was a day for all children to dress up like their favorite storybook characters! On Saturday, September 9th, the Zoo will turn into a magical land, with a day full of fun activities, including princesses, superheroes, story time at multiple locations on grounds, face painting, glitter tattoos, coloring, and animal presentations. 
 
Seven different costumed storybook characters will be on Zoo grounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Characters include: Ariel, Belle, Merida, Dead Fool, Captain Marvel and Spiderman.Visit the Peacock Pavilion Stage at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. for a performance of ‘A Princess Tea’ Book and Lyrics by Chelsea Dacey, Presented by The Legacy Theatre (Branford, CT). The day of fun and fantasy is sponsored by Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare. 

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“We’re so happy to host Connecticut Children’s and Hartford HealthCare’s healthcare heroes and families at the Zoo for the third year in a row,” said Gregg Dancho, Zoo director. 
 
“Learning and exploration are both so important to a child’s healthy development. We are proud to partner with the Zoo to offer a fun day of learning in a safe and family friendly environment,” said Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s. “The Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare ensures every child has access to the state’s leading health experts and specialists. We are here when and where families need us and offer the most compassionate and innovative care in Connecticut.” 
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $19.00, children (ages 3 -11) is $15.00, senior admission (62 and older) is just $15.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge. 
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About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Get Your Ticket to Adventure! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 101st year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tiger and leopards, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves.  Other highlights include the new Andean bear habitat, the spider monkey habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove.  As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats. Tickets should be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. 
 
 
About Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare
The Pediatric Care Alliance is a unique partnership between Connecticut Children’s and Hartford HealthCare. We work together to provide streamlined care for children and families when and where they need it — spanning infancy, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, and transition to adult care. This partnership combines the specialized expertise of two powerful health systems and brings it to nearly 400 locations in the region. Families, their infants and children have access to the most experienced specialists, the most sophisticated technologies and the most helpful resources and support systems available. Learn more at:  
https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/about-us/our-care-alliances/hartford-healthcare/
and
https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/pediatric-care-alliance
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