Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and head “south of the border” to Brookfield Zoo’s Fiesta para Todos, Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14. The “party for all” highlights the zoo’s Latin American animals and features live music, dance, and ethnic food from noon to 4 p.m.
Visitors can see their favorite animals that are native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. A list of these fascinating creatures, including the golden lion tamarin, gila monster, and green sea turtle, are listed in the map insert that is distributed at the south and north admission booths. For an up-close encounter with a special animal from Latin America, stop by the East Mall between 2 and 3 p.m where keepers from Children’s Zoo will have a llama for visitors to touch.

Also on the East Mall, visitors can enjoy delectable Mexican and Peruvian fare. Items available for purchase include elotes (Mexican style sweet corn), empanadas (meat and vegetable-filled baked turnovers), and pollo a la brasa (grilled marinated chicken). La Gran Cocina and Bocoditos restaurants feature a variety of ethnic dishes, too.

 Each day during the Fiesta para Todos celebration, the zoo will be filled with live music and dance from Latin America. Entertainment scheduled to perform includes: Nahui Ollin: Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico (September 13 at noon) Nelson & Paola Sosa (September 13 at 1 p.m.), Horizontes Mexicanos (September 13 and 14 at 2 p.m.), Mariachi Juvenil Tenoxtitlan (September 13 at 3 p.m.), Orchestra Ebenezer Ministry (September 14 and noon), Raiz Viva (September 14 at 1 p.m.) and Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater (September 14 at 3 p.m.)
Zoo goers can also take a piece of Latin America home. Beautifully handcrafted merchandise, including clothing, jewelry, and musical instruments, from Chile, Peru, and Ecuador is available for purchase at the zoo’s Culturas de la Costa gift shop.

 Fiesta para Todos is sponsored by American Airlines.

 For more information, call Brookfield Zoo at (708) 485-0263, ext. 879, or visit the zoo’s Web site at www.brookfieldzoo.org.
 
 

Brookfield Zoo is known throughout the world for its innovative, naturalistic multi-species exhibits, its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation, and its devotion to helping people develop a sustainable and harmonious relationship with nature. The zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago. The zoo is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, and PACE bus service.