Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium hosts Summer Safari Rock With the Animals event
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Chris and Mary Winston and Sue Gitomer. -
Tracy Nedzesky. -
Patty and John Payne. -
Chairs Anita Smith and Joe Moran. -
Kristy Kennedy and Bert Sciulli. -
Steven and Bev Elliott.
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Thousands crossed rivers, navigated tunnels and hills, and fought traffic for the annual great migration to Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's annual Summer Safari Rock With the Animals event. More than 2,700 guests came to "Get Spotted" Friday night despite dew points that had them dripping. Many marveled at the antics of the lions and leopards and the restless rhino, but others watched with envy as the elephants splashed around in their pool. A power outage killed the escalator and elevator from the lower parking lot, but Roenigk transportation came to the rescue to shuttle guests up the hill.
The promise of cold beers and mixed drinks as well as food kept them moving from the starting point in the Village to midpoint at the Plaza. The sold-out party included more than 200 VIPs, who had a tent near the air-conditioned education building. Many were taking refuge there before they began the march to the Plaza, the PPG Aquarium and the PNC Pavilion to end the evening.
By that time, the sun was down and guests were ready to get down to the sounds of the amazing Standard Band.
Chairing the wild night once again were Anita Smith and Joe Moran, who tried to get the nearly extinct Amur leopard to get ready for his close-up. The big cat wanted no part of the limelight. Board chair Bev Elliott and her husband, Steve, enjoyed a little time behind the scenes with a baby sea turtle, while Roy Powell of Jones Day got a close look at the tiger sand sharks.
Other VIPs went behind the giraffe enclosure to feed Lewis carrots. His 9-inch black tongue was nearly as menacing as the boa constrictor on display. Among those feeling fantastically feral were Tacy Byham with Eric MacDonald, Sally Horseman, Bob and Kim Fanelli, Ronna Nagin, Jim Stalder, Dr. Jack Demos, Rita Randall and founding committee members of Summer Safari, Phil Wolfe and Marty Smith.
First Published August 2, 2011 12:00 am
