Get ready to get wild and make fun memories, the Little Rock Zoo is turning 100, and the whole city is invited to the party.
On Saturday, June 7, the Little Rock Zoo will celebrate its centennial with a full day of family-friendly festivities. This historical milestone will be commemorated with pop-up performances and surprise entertainment, including interactive African drumming, live country music by Bree Ogden, giant bubble shows and special appearances by fairy tale princesses and zoo mascots.
As the zoo marks a century of conservation and community engagement, the celebration is as much about the animals as it is about the people who’ve helped make the Little Rock Zoo a beloved part of Arkansas life for generations. The event also coincides with Southern Bancorp Little Rock Community Day, offering discounted admission for city residents and making it the perfect time to experience the joy and magic of the zoo.
Here’s the centennial celebration lineup:
- 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: crafts with the Youth Zoo Crew
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: bounce houses
- 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Face Painting by Regina
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: train and carousel rides
- 10:15 a.m.: centennial parade
- 11 a.m.: centennial gathering (with special guest speakers)
- 11:20 a.m.: birthday song (with cupcakes and punch)
- 11:30 a.m.: best 100-year-old costume contest
- 11:45 a.m.: animal ambassador encounter
- 12:45 p.m.: dance party
- 1:30-2 p.m.: Meet the Vet (with Dr. Sara Stoneburg)
- 2-2:30 p.m.: zoo history presentation
- 2:45 p.m.: animal ambassador encounter
“Our hope is that people do come here and have their eyes opened to these animals, their care and the parts of the world that they come from. And recognize that what we do here in the 72205 zip code can affect and does affect other regions of the world,” said Joy Matlock, the zoo’s head of marketing and development, in our May 2024 cover story. “Our zoo is doing things that impact animals all over the world, every day. Hopefully that is something the community can get excited about.”
The zoo is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and last admission is at 3:30 p.m. Tickets on June 7 will be $2 for Little Rock residents and free for children aged 2 and younger.
For the full schedule details and more information, visit the Little Rock Zoo website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.