Zoolebrate!

First off let me start by saying, every time you read the word 'Zoolebrate' you must think of Madonna's 'Holiday' song, and sing 'Zoolebrate' to that tune. I do this and it makes everything way funner.

After visiting and writing about the poor conditions of the Acadiana Zoo, I went to work and complained about it...heavily. So heavily in fact, that this being the grand opening month for Pie Works, I decided to push and push until we did a 'Donate to the Zoo' Day. My manager called the zoo and set something up so that they would advertise us and we would donate a certain amount of money on the 17th of April to the zoo, from all the money that comes in on that day. Needless, to say I was incredibly happy with myself for pushing and being annoying.

I was even happier, no Im sorry the proper word would be ecstatic, to hear that we were invited to Zoolebrate! What is Zoolebrate you ask? Only the most glorious day of the whole year!

 Pie Works was invited to dole out pizza's and pasta after hours at the zoo...complete with open bar...and party with the animals and tons of other vendors and zoo-loving, black tie wearing people.

It was awesome. 

They had a live band, a cool little lounge thing with light up chairs, a dance floor and free food everywhere. Did I mention the open bar? 

They were raising money to get a girlfriend for Gabriel, the best giraffe in the whole world, and expand on his cage. Im so excited that I got to be a part of this amazing event for an even better cause. Gabe, the giraffe, deserves the best and if I cant be his girlfriend, I guess a lady giraffe will have to do.

When we got there the energy from the workers and volunteers was intense, you could tell, immediately that they loved their job and everything about it. They were so friendly and helpful and energetic that it kind of bowled me over. 

Apparently, this wasn't a sub-par zoo, because at least the animals had love. 

We started loading everything up and I was astonished at where our little booth was, right next to the dancing monkeys and...Gabriel. How am I so lucky?

We hastily set everything up and finally we were allowed to go and do a little exploring. I felt like Charlie in Willy Wonka's candy factory; All these animals and no one else in here! I ran with Keri, my Pie Works ,co- worker in tow, screaming frantically behind me, " He is this way! The giraffe is this way!"

When we got over there, my heart melted all over again and Keri fell in love too. This big, giant baby practically ran over to us and stuck his long neck out and started licking our hands. I rubbed his nose and felt like a million bucks. If one of those lemurs behind us breaks out and goes rabid on me, I would die a happy girl. 

After much doting and giant giraffe tongue and making Keri do a turtle face, we were forced back over to our post at the booth because, yes, I was working. 

The night started out great, it was actually really, really fun. We joked around while we handed out pizza and pasta to the drunker and drunker population of zoo goers. After a few hours, it started to die down a bit and we were told it was probably ok if we "snuck" off to the bar. 

Umm... yes please?

After a few drinks, we packed up our stuff and went to hang out and see what the other people thought of Zoolebrate. We made our way over to the dance floor, where we learned that they did indeed raise enough money for another addition to the zoo and then some. Apparently, giraffes are a piddly 3,000 dollars. I could buy a giraffe, its on my bucket list now. 

I was thrilled for Gabe and his new lady friend and hopefully some little giraffe babies...

The night ended with way too many mimosas for me and an arsenal of new awesome dance moves from Keri. I learned how to do "The Lawnmower", "The Shower", and "The Grocery Shopper" amongst others. 

I left feeling good about my good deeds, enriched for learning some new moves, and sick from too much oj and cheap champagne. 

Overall, Zoolebrate was Zootastic.

Cheers.