Brookfield Zoo Celebrates Hispanic Heritage on Sept. 26

Submitted by the Chicago Zoological Society.

Enjoy a day of fun at Brookfield Zoo while celebrating Hispanic culture on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The zoo’s north plaza will be filled with music, dance, and art that highlight Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, and El Salvador.

Guests of all ages also can learn about the rich history of these countries and contributions Hispanics have made in science, art, and literature.

During the event, families can meet one of the zoo’s animal ambassadors, have fun making seed balls, enjoy hands-on science activities with members of the University of Illinois at Chicago Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and create sugar skulls with Brookfield Public Library representatives. In addition, zoogoers are invited to join members of Girl Scouts of Great Chicago and Northwest Indiana in creating Aztec headdresses while a historian shares its history.

Throughout the afternoon David Ortiz aka DJ Remo of Non-Stop Music-Fest will have zoogoers dancing on the north plaza and traditional costumed dancers known as “Los Chinelos” will add to the festivities. Additional live entertainment scheduled includes performances by Ballet Folkoric Sones Mexicanos at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., followed by Musical Group Sol de la Costa at 4:00 p.m.

This event is hosted by staff members of the Society’s Arcoiris group, whose mission is to achieve organizational excellence through diversity.