Wet, Wild And Wonderful
Louisiana is the place to go for spring festivals. There is usually a festival going on in most cities towns or communities. Some people call Louisiana the land of festivals. We always have something to celebrate down here in bayou country. Audubon Zoo, not going to be outdone by mere cities is host several festivals themselves. A colorful celebration of African-American culture, Soul Fest was held on the Zoo grounds last weekend. New Orleans Creole cuisine and soul food mixed with R&B and hip hop kicked off a round of happenings at NOLA’s own “animal house”, the Audubon Zoo.
Everybody loves the Zoo and obviously some are better than others. In my child accompanied travels across the country I have been to my fair share of Zoo’s and believe me when I say Audubon Zoo out classes them all. The Audubon Zoo provides amble natural habit for all of the animals that are housed there. There is also areas of grass and shade for visitors to enjoy. Not only is the Zoo itself beautifully done but it definitely does its part to promote Louisiana and all we have to offer.
Trailing after Soul Fest are several others including Earth Fest, Asian Pacific American Society and then immediately after those are the popular fund raisers for the Audubon Society, the Whitney Zoo To Do and Zoo To Do for Kids sponsored by Humana. These fundraisers will help The Audubon Institute underwrite a new attraction for our favorite Zoo called Cool Zoo, an animal themed splash park designed especially with the kiddos in mind. With the hot Louisiana summer getting closer by the minute this is welcome news. Cool Stuff!
Right at the Zoo will be a new wet and wild splash park called the Cool Zoo. A jumping water spouts, a huge alligator (we are in Louisiana after all) water slide, a spider monkey soaker and water spitting snakes just to name a few of the highlights coming! The splash park will offer three different splash zones with one specifically for toddlers and younger zoo goers. Before you leave home, don’t forget to pack that extra change of clothes or at least put a swimsuit and towel in the bag. No matter what your age you are going to want to get just a little wet to cool off.
In addition to all the custom animal features in the new Cool Zoo, there will be animal sounds in the “Sound Spray” area. When the water sprays you hear matching animal sounds like croaks, bleats, roars or squawks. This is something that children really enjoy. It gives them a feeling of being in the “wild”. The Caterpillar sprayer is designed to look like a monarch butterfly and the giant alligator’s tail is the waterslide! This new hot spot will be located between the Endangered Species Carousel and the Embraceable Zoo. Construction should begin soon. So get ready for some Cool Zoo fun.
Another drawing card for the Big Easy will be an 800 square foot tropical environment and home to more than 1,000 free flying parakeets! Scheduled to open this summer is Parakeet Pointe which will be located at the Aquarium of the Americas, For an even closer encounter, purchase a feed stick for a dollar and feed the bright beautiful little birds. The kids and you kid-like adults will love it! These guys are all naturally curious and playful. There is always something going on in the Crescent City, old and new. This summer will be no exception. So pack the bags, grab the kids and get on over here. New Orleans is waiting for you. By Sharon Denise Talbot.
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