Wet 'n Wild at the zoo--FUN!

The News Star, 8/3/2011

It's the fourth annual Wet 'n Wild Day Saturday at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo and kids of all ages are invited and bring their parents for a day of fun.

"It's an event day at the zoo," said zoo director Joe Clawson. "We'll have water slides and slip and slides and two concerts by Trout Fishing in America. They do a kids' show and it's very popular."

Plus, with the $7 admission you can take a break from the water fun and check out the animals at the zoo.

"We charge a little bit extra and that includes admission to the zoo. And every penny we raise in admission that day goes to improvements at the zoo," Clawson added.

Since the weather is predicted to be scorching, kids and adults should slather on the sunscreen and be ready to get hot and wet.

"Be sure to wear something you can get wet in, and be sure to wear shoes," said Clawson. "The main thing is to know you are going to get wet. We don't really have places to change (clothes)."

The concert by Trout Fishing in America will be in the covered pavilion at the zoo, which Clawson said is surprisingly cool.

"We have some giant fans and they keep it comfortably cool," he said.

Clawson said there's a cool new site at the zoo, it's Penelope the Hippo's new house.

"It shows her off. You can see a lot more of her," Clawson said.

To make the day complete, the zoo will be offering special box lunches for $5 that includes a hot dog, chips, drink and a popsicle.

So if you are looking for a way to beat the heat, have some fun and help out a good cause on Saturday, Wet and Wild is the place to be.