Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Annual Teddy Bear Festival Returns For A Heartwarming Day of Fun

Photo By Jack Bradley

Bridgeport, CT – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is excited to announce the return of the Teddy Bear Festival on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This beloved event promises a delightful day for children and their cherished stuffed animals, featuring the unique Teddy Bear Clinic in collaboration with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital as well as support by Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), The State on Connecticut of behalf of the CHET 529 College Savings Program.
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At the Teddy Bear Clinic, pediatric specialists will give stuffed animals a free "check-up," allowing children to observe their plush friends receiving gentle care, such as pretend shots and first aid. This engaging experience is designed to reduce children’s anxieties about medical procedures through playful interaction and education.

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Gregg Dancho, Director of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, "The Teddy Bear Festival bridges the gap between fun and education, introducing our young guests to the importance of healthcare and nature in an interactive setting. We are thankful for the support from Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and CHET for their support in enhancing this event's impact on our community."
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“Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital is excited to be a part of this event for the second year. This fun outing encourages children to play while learning and there’s no better venue for that than the Beardsley Zoo,” said Magna Dias, MD, chair of Pediatrics at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Bridgeport Campus.
 
In addition to the Teddy Bear Clinic, the festival will feature storytelling sessions focused on bear conservation, interactive games, and live musical performances. These activities are designed to educate children about the roles that bear species play in ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts.

The day promises to be filled with delightful experiences, from educational talks to hands-on activities that are perfect for families looking to enjoy a day outdoors while learning more about nature and animal care.
Admission to the festival is included with regular zoo entry. Tickets are available for advance purchase online, ensuring participants can enjoy a full day of fun and learning.
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The Teddy Bear Festival is made possible by the beary special support of Yale New Haven Children's Hospital sponsoring the clinic, and our Teddy Bear sponsor Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET).
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For additional details and to reserve your tickets, please visit our website at beardsleyzoo.org.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating 102 years, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Red Pandas, Andean bears, Maned Wolves, Mexican Gray Wolves, and Red Wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, and a new prairie dog exhibit that we’ll cut the ribbon on soon! 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 must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org.

About Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH) offers Connecticut’s largest and most comprehensive array of pediatric services. With 208 licensed beds, YNHCH includes two neonatal intensive care units, a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, a pediatric intensive care unit, a pediatric psychiatry unit, an adolescent psychiatry unit, 24-hour Level 1 Pediatric Emergency Trauma Center and a pediatric surgery center. YNHCH, with campuses in New Haven and Bridgeport, is part of the nationally recognized Yale New Haven Hospital, a 1,541-bed not-for-profit teaching hospital affiliated with Yale School of Medicine. The Yale New Haven Hospital campuses and associated ambulatory sites are Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition to its inpatient units, YNHCH has three Pediatric Specialty Centers in New Haven and others in Greenwich, New London, Norwalk, Old Saybrook and Trumbull to provide specialty care to children closer to their communities. www.ynhch.org

About CHET The Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Program. Sponsored by the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer and managed by Fidelity, this 529 plan is open to both residents and nonresidents.