End of Summer Bash

The sun may be setting on summer 🌅, but we’re squeezing in one last hurrah 🥳 at our End of Summer Bash on Saturday, August 2nd from 12:00 – 4:00pm! 

This lively, community-centered event is sure to provide wild fun for everyone! Root for Big Homies Inc vs. Reck League in an epic youth basketball tournament showdown 🏀, support local by shopping a book fair of small, independent businesses 📚, create enrichment for our animals, connect with valuable community groups and resources, and so much more! Summer doesn’t last forever, but family memories at the Virginia Zoo certainly do. 🫶

The Virginia Zoo will also be giving back to our community through a School Supplies & Coat Donation Drive! We will be collecting for our School Supplies/Coat Donation Drive from July 1 – August 10. All school supplies gathered will be donated to support local kids through our partner organizations Big Homies and Reck League. ✏️ 📓  Coats collected will be donated to local organization S.T.A.R Haven to help their efforts in our community. 🧥 Each donation earns you the chance to win awesome prizes (click here for more information). 🐾

THIS EVENT IS FREE WITH YOUR GENERAL ZOO ADMISSION AND TAKES PLACE RAIN OR SHINE!

Event Map

Activities

Included with ticket:

• 12:00 – 12:30pm: Animal Ambassadors in Fountain Plaza
• 2:00pm: Basketball Game #1 in the Zoo Parking Lot
• 3:00 – 3:30pm: Animal Ambassadors in Fountain Plaza
• 3:00pm: Basketball Game #2 in the Zoo Parking Lot
• Tango the Tiger photo ops
• DJ Dance Party
• Animal Enrichment Building Station in the Event Pavilion
• Zoo Career Table
• Community Basketball Tournament (Big Homies vs Reck League)
• Bright Future Pediatrics will be providing a limited number of FREE vouchers for physical exams.
  • Parents must fill out their contact information and they will be given a voucher with 2 available dates to schedule.

Activities for an Additional Cost ($):

• Book Fair in the Event Pavilion ($)
  • Prince Books
  • REACH, Inc.
  • Norfolk Public Library
  • Paperbacks Ink
  • Ladybug’s Librarie
  • Wand’s Books
  • Literature and Libation
• Bounce Houses in the Event Field ($)
• Virginia Zoo Express Train Rides (last ride 3:40pm) ($)
• Gift Shop ($)

Community Vendors

Come mingle in the Fountain Plaza with some incredible local organization that provide resources and support throughout our community!

• Big Homies Inc.
• Reck League
• Stop the Violence 757
• S.T.A.R Haven
• The Up Center
• GEAR Recovery, Inc.
• Hampton Roads Community Action Program Head Start/Early Head Start
• Colley Community Center
• Seniors Aging Gracefully
• YMCA of South Hampton Roads
• Western Tidewater Community Services Board
• Norfolk Department of Public Health

Food & Drinks (extra cost):

• Food Truck(s):
  • Sunshine Treats VB ($) (located in the Zoo parking lot)
  • Mr. FLAVOR ($) (located in the Zoo parking lot)
• African Village Restaurant ($) (Open daily 10am-4pm)
• Beastro ($) (Open daily 10:30am-3:30pm)

Thank you to our sponsor

Rivers Casino

Event Reminders

• Tickets are non-refundable. All sales are final. Should a ticket holder be unable to attend the event, the purchase will be considered a donation.
• As an outdoor venue, events are rain or shine unless otherwise indicated. If any changes are made, an announcement via an email to our members and/or ticket holders and on the Virginia Zoo social media channels will be issued prior the event.
• The Zoo is a smoke-free facility; no smoking is allowed inside the Zoo. This also includes e-cigarettes and vaping. Inability to follow this rule will result in dismissal from Zoo grounds without a refund.
• By purchasing an event ticket, you agree to abide by the Virginia Zoo’s Rules & Policies.