FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Gina Stiles (904) 655-3632 (cell); (904) 757-4463, ext. 210 (office),               stilesg@jacksonvillezoo.org

February 3, 2008

$35,000 ANNUAL GRAND PRIX HORSE SHOW & KIDS’ CARNIVAL
TO BENEFIT JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

January 23, 2008, Jacksonville, FL- Dennis Pate, executive director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, announced that the Hunter Jumper Association’s Grand Prix International Horse Show and Kids’ Carnival will benefit the Zoo for the 13th year.  Olympic horse and rider combinations will be competing at the covered arena at Clay County Fairgrounds on State Road 16 Sunday, February 3 at 2:00 p.m.  Arthur Crofton, WEJZ 96.1 FM radio personality, will be the Master of Ceremonies, and 96.1 radio will broadcast live during the event. Admission to the horse show and carnival are free, with a $5.00 parking donation. 

The Kids’ Carnival features Radio Disney AM 600, with music games and prizes, and Jazoo, the Jacksonville Zoo and Garden’s hug-friendly, fun-loving lion mascot, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Zoo animal encounters will entertain the kids from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Children can also enjoy pony rides and stable tours from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  A Silent Auction starts at 10:30 a.m. with opportunities to bid on items such as a Radio Disney party, art work, Zoo Behind the Scenes Tours, horse paraphernalia and more.  Attendees can enjoy a steak dinner sponsored by Outback Steakhouse at 11:30 a.m.  Tickets to the luncheon are $35 for adults and $12 for children. All proceeds go to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. For more information or ticket purchases go to jacksonvillezoo.org or call 904-757-2000.

“We are delighted to provide funding from this event to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the 13th year,” said Hunter Jumper Association President Tony Weight.  “We look forward to continuing our support for the Zoo in the years to come.”

“This event makes for a wonderful family outing and is every horse lover’s dream,” said Dennis Pate, executive director of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “The proceeds of this event will go to the Zoo’s Amphibian Rescue Center that will help in the prevention of extinction of frogs and other amphibians. We greatly appreciate this support from the Hunter Jumper Association and from those who attend the event.” 

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

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