Saint Louis Zoo’s ZooFARI 2015

A record-breaking crowd of over 3,600 supporters braved the elements to dine and dance under the stars at the Saint Louis Zoo’s biennial creative black-tie party, ZooFARI 2015 presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, Friday, June 19, 2015. Celebrating 50 years, ZooFARI began in 1965 and has become St. Louis’ “best party in town.” The event also shattered previous Zoofari revenue,  grossing $1,126,939 to help the Zoo in its efforts to save endangered species at home and around the world.

Orange embodied the new black at the event! The endangered Sumatran orangutan, with its fiery orange hair, reflected the inspiration for ZooFARI 2015. The Zoo went ape with folks showing off their bold hairdos and flouncing their bright frocks, jungle-themed ties and other wild formal wear.

Partygoers entered the “Danger Zone” and cut “Footloose” with live entertainment by the “King of the Movie Soundtrack”, Kenny Loggins, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Kenny did not disappoint the crowd, covering his major hits from the Loggins and Messina era and his solo career. Rain did not deter the guests, who remained until the final song. Additional entertainment came from the Charles Glenn Duo, DJ Crucial, Dirty Muggs, Miss Jubilee & the Humdingers, North of the Quarter and DJ Needles.

Since the weather service had predicted storm activity most of the night, the Zoo had to take some precautions, consolidating many of the culinary establishments under several large tents. It made “Grazing” to your heart and soul’s content a little more challenging, but guests still found specialty food and drinks from more than 60 of St. Louis’ finest restaurants, bars and caterers. While concessions reduced the usual display of lavishly themed booths, guests discovered tastes of elegant desserts, tempting appetizers and savory main dishes from these providers: Augusta Winery & Montelle Winery, Bistro 517, Bogat’s Smokehouse, Cafe Manhattan, Cafe Provencal, Callier’s Catering, Cater Al Fresco, Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, Chase Park Plaza Hotel – Cafe Eau & Bistro, Cherokee Street Catering, Cielo Restaurant and Bar, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Crazy Bowls & Wraps, EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery, Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Favazza’s, Final Cut Steakhouse – Hollywood Casino, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Froyo, Gobble STOP Smokehouse, Granite City Food & Brewery, Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas, Hendri’s Events, Herbie’s Vintage 72, HIRO Asian Kitchen, J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood, Juniper, Kakao Chocolate, Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Co., Landry’s Seafood, LoRusso’s Cucina, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood and Steaks, Naked Bacon, Noodles & Company, Onesto Pizza & Trattoria, Orlando Catering, Robust Wine Bar & Shoppe, Ronnoco Coffee, LLC, Saint Louis Zoo Mane Event Catering, Sarah’s Cake Stop, Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream, Smoki O’s, St. James Winery, Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Texas Roadhouse, The Billy Goat Chip Company, The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery, The DAM/Michele C Catering & Events, The Gianino Family of Restaurants, The Kitchen Sink, The Pasta House Co. Catering, The Restaurant at The Cheshire, Thomas Coffee, Three Flags Tavern, Three Sixty, Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro, Vin de Set Rooftop Bar & Bistro, Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante, Westwood Catering, and Windows On Washington.

As the Zoo’s largest fundraiser, the extravagant silent auction, sponsored by Albarré Jewelry, offered these highlights: a meet-and-greet for two people with Kenny Loggins; a six-day, five-night stay for eight in a 4,200-square-foot private residence in Punta Mita, Mexico; sailing for two on the famous America’s Cup yacht “Stars & Stripes USA 11” in San Diego; a 12-person suite at Edward Jones Dome as the Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers; green room seats for a Jimmy Kimmel Live taping; elegant jewelry, and many concerts and entertainment options.

Other opportunities included purchasing a raffle ticket for the chance to win a luxury ZooFARI auction item of your choice. Raffle tickets cost $100 each and remained available until Tuesday, June 16 or until sell-out. Another raffle had a $25 Diamond Dig ticket  to win a $5,000 shopping spree at Albarré Jewelry.

Reservations cost $250/person for non-members or $200/person for Zoo Friends. Swimming Sea Lion (patron) reservations ran $1,000/couple. Reserved tables of 10 started at $3,500.

Susan Block and James Sansone chaired ZooFARI 2015 with a nod to the event chairs of the past 50 years’ as the honorary chairs.

ZooFARI 2015 was supported generously by the following sponsors and donor levels: Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, Plunging Polar Bear Sponsor Emerson, Entertainment Sponsor Fifth Third Bank, and Tip of the Iceberg Sponsor World Wide Technology, Inc. Gentle Giraffe Sponsors included Edward Jones, Mid America Chevy Dealers, Monsanto and U.S. Bank. The Rest Your Paws Sponsor comprised CALERES; the Kick-Off Party Sponsor consisted of First Bank, and the Silent Auction Sponsor Albarré Jewelry. The Playful Penguin Sponsors incorporated Ameren Corporation, AT&T, August A. Busch III Charitable Trust, Cequel III/Judy and Jerry Kent, Centene Charitable Foundation, David B. Lichtenstein Foundation, Denise and Drew Franz, Graybar Electric Company, Inc., Harbour Group, Jack C. Taylor, The James Trogolo Company, The Kiesel Company, Lodging Hospitality Management, LOWENBAUM LAW, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Stifel and Thompson Coburn LLP. KSHE 95 represented the media partner for the event.

Zoofari