Jack Hanna will be at the Chattanooga Zoo Banana Split and Banana Ball events on Oct. 14
The Chattanooga Zoo will host its annual Banana Ball event on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. It will also be bringing back the 6th annual Banana Split event, just for kids. As the Zoo is celebrating its 80th anniversary, extra activities and event offerings allowed for times changes for this year.
The day’s activities will kick start with the Banana Split event beginning at 10 a.m. All children are invited to a presentation by special guest, Jack Hanna, and his animal friends. Banana Split guests will also get to enjoy face painting, a bounce house, goody bags, animal encounters, the zoo, and sweet banana split treats. This event will take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 14. Jack’s presentation will begin at 11 a.m. Tickets are $25 per person for zoo members and $30 per person for non-members, and are available online now.
The Banana Ball event will begin that evening with an open bar and hor d’oeuvres, along with some traditional African music and dance by Chattanooga’s Mawre & Co. at 5 p.m. There will be a presentation from celebrity guest, Jack Hanna from 6-7 p.m.
Immediately following the presentation, guests will experience an evening at the Zoo that includes up close animal encounters, dinner by the bite will be catered by Lee Towery Catering, live music provided by Surround Sound Band, an open bar, and a cigar bar providing signature hand rolled cigars. Banana Ball guests will also have the chance to experience animal paintings, “adopt” their favorite Zoo animal, and learn about the Chattanooga Zoo’s capital campaign, “Reaching Great Heights”.
Banana Ball tickets are $100 per person for zoo members and $120 per person for non-members, and are available online now. The Banana Ball is a 21 and older only event.
About Jack Hanna:
Jungle Jack Hanna explores the corners of the globe as one of the most respected animal ambassadors. His enthusiasm and “hands-on” approach to wildlife conservation has won him widespread acclaim as a conservationist, television personality, author and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds. Recognized as America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack has made countless television appearances since 1983 on shows such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The View, and Fox News and CNN news programs. Jack took his infectious energy to the airwaves by creating three nationally televised programs. Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures ran for 10 years and is still currently in syndication. Most recently, the Columbus Zoo and Nationwide Insurance have partnered to sponsor the Emmy award winning Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild and a show on ABC, Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown. Jack and his wife, Suzi, live in central Ohio and have three daughters and six grandchildren.
The Banana Ball is the Chattanooga Zoo’s signature event with all proceeds going directly towards the Zoo’s capital campaign to bring giraffe to Chattanooga.
"The Banana Ball and the kid’s Banana Split are our most anticipated fundraising events of the year,” Darde Long, CEO and president of the Zoo said. “We are so excited to have Jack Hanna back this year to help us celebrate our 80th anniversary, and we hope everyone will come out and enjoy a magical evening at the Zoo to benefit a great cause.”
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.chattzoo.org.