Hogle Zoo's biggest fund-raiser is celebrating its 10th anniversary next month.
The American Express Zoo Rendezvous brought 1,100 people to the zoo last year. And with tickets starting at $150 a head, a lot of money will again be raised for animal care and exhibit renovations.
"The entire zoo is transformed for the evening, just for this particular event," said Lauryn Wingate, the volunteer gala director. "And then proceeds go directly to animals and habitat improvement."
The decades-long event, set this year for Sept. 6, began as a way to help care for the zoo's collection of 900 animals. Just to feed the animals costs $125,000 a year.
The fundraiser started as invite-only, but now anyone can buy a ticket. Guests can wine-and-dine at food booths from 25 of Salt Lake's most high-end restaurants, like the New Yorker, Metropolitan, Cafe Madrid and Lugano. A signature 10th anniversary champagne has been created for the event by La Caille French restaurant.
What makes the fund-raiser unique, though, is guests can watch the animals as they eat and drink.
Zoo docents bring around animals for guests to pet, like a snake, eagle and penguin. Golf cart tours will showcase the zoo, VIP-style. A jazz lounge will feature music by the Disgusting Brothers and the Satyrs.
The event has gained such notoriety since its inception that City Weekly ranked it in its April "Best of Utah 2007" edition as the state's best fund-raiser.
"It's really taken off and become a very high-end, fun thing" said Holly Braithwaite, the zoo's community relations coordinator.
Each year, the fund-raiser has a new theme, which focuses on an animal. For 2007, the theme is penguins, with black and white attire or even safari chic.
"We chose the penguin because penguins are a big hit this year with 'Happy Feet' and the other movies that are out," Wingate said.
Wingate is part of a 27-member volunteer committee that helps put on the gala each year. A syndicate and silent auction feature prizes like an all-expense paid trip for four to see "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," a trip to Costa Rica and a diamond ring.
Hogle's Zoo Rendezvous, sponsored by American Express, is Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6 to 11 p.m. More information is available at www.zoorendezvous.com. Tickets start at $150 for an individual ticket and go up from there. They can be purchased by calling Kathie at 801-487-7788 or Kristin at 801-585-1741.
E-mail: astowell@desnews.com