Posts Tagged ‘Oglebay Good Zoo’

The Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of summer activities at Oglebay and John Hargleroad, Director of Operations, says that all the Oglebay facilities will be open beginning Friday, May 24 with some special activities planned for the Memorial Day weekend.

 

“The always-popular inflatable rides will be at the Schenk Lake area on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Doozy the Clown will also be at the lake area all three days from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.,” said Hargleroad.

 

Oglebay will begin offering daily activity wristbands on Friday, May 24.  The wristbands are available at the Good Zoo and Visitors Center through Labor Day and provide all day use at the Par III Golf, Good Zoo and Train Ride, Miniature Golf, Pedal Boats, Fishing, Outdoor Pool, Tennis, Glass Museum, Trolley, and the Mansion Museum. “The wristbands will also provide one admission to the inflatable rides this weekend,” reminded Hargleroad. The wristbands are $16.00 each plus applicable fees and taxes.

 

The Memorial Day Weekend is also a great time to catch up with old friends at the Good Zoo and check out what’s new including the Dinosaur exhibit.  On Saturday, May 25, the zoo will hold “Dino Discussions,” from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

The zoo is also accepting entries for the second annual “Capture the Wild” photography contest.  “We had a great response last summer to our photography contest and are looking forward to this year’s entries,” said Penny Miller, Director of the Good Zoo.  “We’ll be awarding some great prizes!” Contest rules and entry forms are available on the zoo’s website at www.oglebay-resort.com/goodzoo.

 

Miller also added that the zoo’s Animal Encounters programs are getting more and more popular.  “This program allows guests to get into animal exhibits with the keepers to help feed and train some of the zoo’s animals including the new mongoose lemurs,” said Miller. Animal Encounters also include the ring-tailed lemurs, red pandas, river otters and kangaroos. The encounters must be scheduled in advance by calling 304-243-4030.

 

The Good Zoo is open daily at 10 am. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $5.75 for ages 3-12, and ages 2 & under and members are free.

 

The popular Segway Tours have also returned for another season.  “Join our friendly guides for an exciting tour on a high tech personal transporter,” said Hargleroad.  “It’s a great way to experience the picturesque natural beauty of Oglebay.” The tours begin at Schenk Lake at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Reservations for Segway Tours can be made by calling 304-243-4090.

 

The Easy Street Band will present a free concert at the Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater on Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  “This performance is the beginning of the Summer Sunday Entertainment Series featuring a different band every Sunday through Labor Day at the amphitheater,” added Hargleroad. The entire summer’s schedule is available at www.oglebay-resort.com/summer_ent.htm.

 

“For those who want to celebrate the weekend with an all-American picnic, many beautiful picnic sites are available at Oglebay and can be reserved by calling 304-243-4010,” added Hargleroad.

 

The Seafood Gala is available at the Ihlenfeld Dining Room at Wilson Lodge on Friday evening and the new Smokehouse, featuring Prime Rib, is offered on Saturday evening.  For dining reservations call 304-243-4080.

“Volunteer at the WILDEST place in town!” said Vickie Markey-Tekely, Curator of Education at the Good Zoo.  “We are currently looking for teen and adult volunteers at the zoo.”

 

Volunteers assist with summer camps, birthday parties, sleepovers and other education programs. Volunteers also share what they learn about wildlife by talking with visitors at zoo exhibits and even use live animals and artifacts to educate others.

 

Teen volunteers must be in the 7th grade or above.  Applications are available on the Oglebay website or call the zoo education office at 304-243-4068. The Teen Volunteer Application deadline is Monday, January 7, 2013.

 

Adult volunteer training is held periodically throughout the year.  To receive an application or more information for the adult volunteer program, call 304-243-4033 or e-mail docents@oglebay-resort.com.

Boo at the Zoo, an annual fundraiser at the Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling, will be October 12 through 14, October 19 through 21 and October 26 through 28. The event is 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. each night but the doors will open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

 

“Put on your costume and join us for our 2012 annual Boo at the Zoo celebration!” said Penny Miller, director of the Good Zoo.  All participants receive bags at the door and collect treats at nine stations scattered throughout the zoo.  The zoo is again offering their popular advance tickets sales at a reduced rate.  Advance tickets are $1.00 off the regular price and can be purchased at the zoo office daily from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

“New this year is the Costume Swap on Saturday, October 13,” added Miller. “Drop off a used, clean, complete costume at the Good Zoo admission gate now through October 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and get a ticket to choose a different costume at the swap.”  The Swap runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on October 13 and zoo admission fees will apply to non zoo members to attend the Swap.

 

Saturday, October 13 will also be Green Halloween Recycle Day at the Zoo. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. old computers, monitors and other electronics will be collected by Electronics Recycling Services in the upper parking lot of the Good Zoo. “Bring in your unwanted electronics free of charge for recycling,” said Miller. Visit the Good Zoo website  or call 304-243-4030 for a complete list of electronics that will be accepted at Green Halloween Recycle Day.

 

Also new this year is the Pumpkin Carving Contest.  “The first 100 carved pumpkins entered in the contest can be swapped for an uncarved pumpkin that you can then carve for your own family,” said Miller. Two pumpkin carving competitions will be held and entries can be dropped off at the Good Zoo admission gate from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily from October 5 through 17.  Entries received by October 10 will be eligible for both contests and entries received after October 10 will be eligible for the second contest only.  Judging for the first contest will be October 11 and the second contest will be judged on October 18. There will be two age categories: age 14‐adult; and youth; 13 and under. Prizes will include Oglebay gift cards, Good Zoo membership and Animal Encounters.

 

For complete rules for the Costume Swap and the Pumpkin Carving Contest visit the zoo website or call 304-243-4030. 

 

Admission to Boo at the Zoo is $6.50 for non-members and $5.25 for members. Boo at the Zoo also features a Spooky Train Ride for $2.00 and tickets for the train ride are available at the zoo’s train station.

 

A special overnight package is available at Wilson Lodge at Oglebay for Boo at the Zoo.  The package is $199 and includes one night lodging in a traditional room for two adults and two children, admission to Boo at the Zoo, costume party for the kids, a pizza and soda, plus all the lodge amenities including the indoor pool, fitness center and Jacuzzi. For overnight lodging details call 800-624-6988.

 

Volunteers assist with summer camps, birthday parties, sleepovers and other education programs. Volunteers also share what they learn about wildlife by talking with visitors at zoo exhibits and even use live animals and artifacts to educate others.

 

Teen volunteers must be in the 7th grade or above.  Applications are available on the Oglebay website at www.oglebay-resort.com/goodzoo/Teen_Volunteer_Application.pdf or call the zoo education office at 304-243-4068. The Teen Volunteer Application deadline is Monday, January 9, 2012.

 

Adult volunteer training is held periodically throughout the year.  To receive an application or more information for the adult volunteer program, call 304-243-4033 or e-mail docents@oglebay-resort.com.