FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Audubon Nature Institute Happenings
OCTOBER – DECEMBER, 2012

Please Click Images Above to Download

NEW ORLEANS –-Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St.), Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (1 Canal St.), Entergy IMAX® Theatre (1 Canal St.) and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium (423 Canal St.) open at 10am Tuesday through Sunday. Closing hours vary; check web site for details.

All attractions are closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.  All attractions are open on November 19, December 26, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
 

Please visit

www.AudubonInstitute.org
for information on hours of operation and admission prices.

Audubon’s Dinosaur Adventure at Audubon Zoo
$2.00 – Members
$4.00 – General Public
In addition to paid Zoo admission.
 
AUDUBON EXPERIENCE
An Audubon Experience ticket includes admission to Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy IMAX® Theatre and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.
 
$35.00 Adult Admission
$19.00 Child (2 -12) Admission
$19.00 Senior (65+)/Student* Admission 

Follow Us!    
Facebook:      www.facebook.com/audubonzoo
Twitter:          @AudubonZoo
 
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BACKSTAGE PENGUIN PASS

Go behind the scenes at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas for an up-close encounter with an endangered African penguin. The Backstage Penguin Pass is a new program offering a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for an intimate, hands-on experience with a penguin in Audubon’s newly designed private penguin encounter. A member of the Aquarium’s husbandry team will be with you to answer questions and guide you through the experience.

EVENTS
 
October 13- UNCF WALK FOR EDUCATION
Audubon Park
7:30am – 1pm
New Orleans invites you to celebrate at this family-friendly community event on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 7:30am until 1pm. Our 5K Walk/Run will start UNCF in the beautiful Audubon Park Riverview area behind Audubon Park & Zoo. For further information, please contact the UNCF New Orleans office at 504-581-3794.

October 14 –  NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED INSECT DAY
Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
10am – 5pm
Sample a selection of chocolate-covered bugs and desserts – featuring a chocolate fountain where guests can dip their own crickets.
 
October 14 – CELEBRACIÓN LATINA sponsored by Wellcare
Audubon Zoo
10am – 5pm
A true taste of Latin American culture with live music, children’s activities and authentic Latin cuisine prepared and sold by local restaurants. Local artisans sell hand made crafts, and local health, education and social service organizations offer valuable information to festival goers.  The festival is included in Zoo admission or membership.
 
October 19, 20, 26, 27 – BOO AT THE ZOO PRESENTED BY CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Audubon Zoo
5pm - 9pm - $17
Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Boo at the Zoo Presented by Carnival Cruise Lines! This annual Audubon Zoo extravaganza is a safe, fun-filled Halloween event for children up to age 12, featuring trick-or-treat houses with candy, 70-foot spectacular Carnival cruise ship made of pumpkins with an accompanying light show, Ghost Train, a haunted house (scary and non-scary), games with prizes, entertainment and more. All games and treats, except concessions, are free with admission.  Boo at the Zoo is a separate admission party that frequently sells out, so everyone is encouraged to pick up their tickets early. Visit Audubon’s website at www.AudubonInstitute.org to purchase tickets.
 
October 31 - CRAWLOWEEN
Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
10am - 5pm
Trick or treating for scary keepsakes like spider rings at the Butterfly Garden and Insectarium’s presentation stations; a roach-filled pumpkin; Halloween crafts and “Maggot Mystery” – guess how many maggots are in the jar! It’s all part of Halloween at Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.
 
November 3 & 4 – LOUISIANA SWAMP FEST
Audubon Zoo
10am – 5pm
Audubon Zoo’s most popular festival! Celebrate the Louisiana Swamp in the unique setting of Audubon Zoo. New this year – workshops where cultural icons of South Louisiana heritage share their stories and secrets – and a Cajun musical instrument petting zoo!
 
Audubon Zoo’s Swamp Fest always features the best in Cajun and Zydeco music, food such as gator burgers, fried seafood cheese grits, alligator sauce piquant and sweet potato pie! NEW this year:  Deep Fried Oreos, Fried Twinkies and Fried Bananas! Also - many indigenous craft and art items for purchase. Be part of the party and celebrate everything that makes South Louisiana such a special place to live. The festival is included in Zoo admission or membership.

November 20-21 - HOPPY THANKSGIVING
Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
10am – 5pm
This wasn’t what the Pilgrims ate! Sample traditional Thanksgiving dishes served with an Insectarium flair in Bug Appetit.
 
December 8 – JINGLE BUGS
Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
10am-5pm
Holiday fun at Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium includes photos with Santa, bug ornaments and a unique insect-themed take on The Night Before Christmas. Visitors will learn about winter survival strategies for bugs and will also be able to sample some unique holiday cuisine, such as bug nog, fruit fly cake and peppermint cricket bark.
 
December 31 – NOON YEAR’S EVE
Audubon Zoo
10:30am – 12:30pm
Bring in the New Year at noon! Get the whole family together to welcome the year 2012 with Audubon Zoo. Enjoy live entertainment and lots of fun games and activities – including a toast at high noon, complete with party favors (while supplies last). The party is included in Zoo admission or membership.

EDUCATION

SAFARI AFTER DARK
October 13 - Creatures of the Dark
November 17 –  Camp Conservation
December 8 - Hunger Games
Audubon Zoo
The whole family can have a unique camping experience on the grounds of Audubon Zoo. This educational event is for families (children under 5 may be too young for this activity) that want to experience the wonders of nature overnight.  Each evening includes crafts, animal encounters, fireside activities, behind-scenes tour and night hike.

NEW! STROLLER SAFARI
Bring your 18-36 month old to the Zoo with their favorite adult for a great adventures with nature. Short classes with a Zoo educator introduce your child to their first nature concepts and offer outdoor exercise and introductions to some of our favorite animal exhibits. During each class you will be introduced to an animal topic with stories, a nature craft and a visit to the animal exhibit.

November 19 - 21 - THANKSGIVING CAMP
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo offers a great opportunity for your child to spend their days outdoors exploring nature during their Thanksgiving break.  Let our educators provide your child with plenty of action packed adventures among the animals at the zoo. Each day is full of animal exploration, scientific investigation, arts and crafts, and more!!!   

December 26 - 28 - HOLIDAY CAMP
Audubon Zoo
Tradition-filled holidays are fun times for getaways at Audubon Zoo for children in Kindergarten - 5th grade. Make Audubon's Holiday Camp part of your tradition. Provide your child with action-packed adventures among the animals at the Zoo. Each day is full of animal exploration, scientific investigation, arts and crafts, and more.

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NOW PLAYING AT ENTERYIMAX®THEATRE- Nature films in 2D and 3D! Check www.AudubonInstitute.org or call (504) 581-4629 for show times.

The following film schedule will start Tuesday, October 2nd  and run at least thru Thursday, November 1st.

Show times are subject to change, see website for movie descriptions

10am

The Last Reef 3D

11am

Born to be Wild 3D

12pm

The Last Reef 3D

  1pm

Hurricane on the Bayou

  2pm

The Last Reef 3D

  3pm

Born to be Wild 3D

  4pm

Hurricane on the Bayou

  5pm (Tue – Fri Only)

The Last Reef 3D

  5pm (Sat/Sun Only)

The Dark Knight Rises PG-13 2hrs 45min

 
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For images or more information, the media may contact:
 
Katie Smith
(504) 378-2693 (direct)
(504) 278-0542 (cell)
ksmith@auduboninstitute.org