ZOOcson, Tucson’s exotic fundraiser, is from 6 – 9 p.m. on Friday, October 6 at Reid Park Zoo.
This year’s event will feature loads of food, libations, and auctions on a wild night to benefit wildlife. The soiree, presented by Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center, is extra special as it marks the 30th year of the event.
ZOOcson will have food and drink samples from more than 25 restaurants, including two of the restaurants featured at Iron Chef Tucson — Dante’s Fire and Zio Peppe — and beautiful lights illuminating the grounds at Reid Park Zoo.
There will be two auctions: guests can size up items in the silent auction in person and then bid on items online through the end of the weekend. Then, at the live auction, guests can bid on incredible one-of-a-kind experiences at the Zoo and beyond. KOLD-TV Chief Meteorologist Erin Christiansen will emcee.
Live music on the main stage will be performed by Baja Caravan, which has a unique musical style blending folk surf reggae rock with Latin rhythms.
Tickets, which are $175 each ($150 if you’re a zoo member), include food at all restaurant stations and two drink tickets. There are specialty cocktails, an ice bar by Arizona Ice Art, and animal encounters where guests get up close to some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors.
Funds raised from ZOOcson will benefit the Zoo’s educational programs, conservation efforts, care of the animals, and improvements to the Zoo.
Participating Restaurants & Food Vendors
- Adis Aguas
- August Rhodes Bakery
- Balay
- Beyond Bread
- BJ’s Restaurants
- Café Con Leche
- Cakes for Causes
- Canyon’s Crown
- Commoner & Co.
- Craft Culinary Concepts
- Dante’s Fire
- Flora’s Market Run
- Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
- HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery
- Kitchen 86
- La Posada
- Locale
- Monsoon’s Tap & Grill
- PF Chang’s
- Portillo’s
- Prep & Pastry
- Sauce Pizza & Wine
- Teaspoon
- Texas Roadhouse
- Walter’s Pizzeria
- Zio Peppe
Beverage Partners
- Finley Distributing
- Coca Cola
- Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Reid Park Zoo is located at 3400 Zoo Court. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit reidparkzoo.org.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
