photos c/o Thomas Garza Photography
One of my many happy places around Dallas is the Dallas Zoo. I love being outside and communing with nature, plus there are amazing animals to look at and learn about! So, I always love attending the Zoo's annual fundraiser called Zoo To Do. This year marked their 25th Anniversary and the "Silver Safari" was celebrated in jungle chic style this past Saturday evening. My dates for the evening were WFAA's Good Morning Texas co-hosts Jane McGarry and Alanna Sarabia. Guests strolled through the award-winning Giants of the Savanna exhibit taking in the sights of elephants and giraffes roaming the Savanna and chetahs and lions lounging about as we bid on a vast array of silent auction items. I spotted Don and Barbara Daske (who was this year's Auction Chair), Kent and Tracy Rathbun, Chris and Rachel Trowbridge, Steve and Anne Stodghill song those taking in the sights (and smells). Attendees grazed exquisite dishes from over twenty-five of Dallas’ premier chefs and restaurants and enjoyed interactive animal demonstrations and musical entertainment. One of my favorite parts of this event is getting to get up close and personal with some of the Zoo's residents. This year I got to hold a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (proof in the above photo gallery), feed a giraffe, pet an African Hedgehog, and hold a boa constrictor. So cool. Following dinner, guests moved to the Wilds of Africa plaza for a live auction featuring rare Zoo experiences, travel, and more. The evening culminated with dancing and live music from Party Machine. Event Chairs Hal Brierley, Don Glendenning, and John Levy and Honorary Chair Mary McDermott Cook deserve a round of applause for executing an amazing celebration (and raising a ton of money). www.dallaszoo.com
