JOHN BALL ZOO

EVENTS AT JBZ

There’s always something happening at John Ball Zoo! Daily Animal Programs include animal trainings, animal feedings, and animals receiving enrichment. We strive to keep the schedule current but it may change due to unforeseen events.
Monthly

September 2023

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MEERKAT MANIA
SEPTEMBER 2 - 4 | SATURDAY - MONDAY

9AM - 6PM

Members | Free
Non-Members | General Admission 

Our very own resident meerkat mob has taken over the zoo! Say hello to our little friends, while they play and sun bathe in their state-of-the-art-exhibit. John Ball Zoo is turning Labor Day weekend into an animal and conservation celebration! Enjoy live music, animal activities, and specialty food for that festival feel. 

EVENT DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 2 
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     JP & The Energy | 12PM-2PM
     Caitlin Cusack | 3:30pm-5:30pm
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

SEPTMBER 3 
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     Mama’s Hot Sauce | 12PM-2PM
     Roots Vibrations | 3:30PM-5:30PM
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

SEPTMBER 4
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     Rusty & the Razorblades | 12PM-2PM
     Olivia Vargas | 3:30PM-5:30PM
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

Attending events at John Ball Zoo makes for an unforgettable experience where your money also supports wildlife conservation around the world and right here in West Michigan. 

EVENT PARTNER

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MEERKAT MANIA
SEPTEMBER 2 - 4 | SATURDAY - MONDAY

9AM - 6PM

Members | Free
Non-Members | General Admission 

Our very own resident meerkat mob has taken over the zoo! Say hello to our little friends, while they play and sun bathe in their state-of-the-art-exhibit. John Ball Zoo is turning Labor Day weekend into an animal and conservation celebration! Enjoy live music, animal activities, and specialty food for that festival feel. 

EVENT DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 2 
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     JP & The Energy | 12PM-2PM
     Caitlin Cusack | 3:30pm-5:30pm
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

SEPTMBER 3 
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     Mama’s Hot Sauce | 12PM-2PM
     Roots Vibrations | 3:30PM-5:30PM
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

SEPTMBER 4
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     Rusty & the Razorblades | 12PM-2PM
     Olivia Vargas | 3:30PM-5:30PM
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

Attending events at John Ball Zoo makes for an unforgettable experience where your money also supports wildlife conservation around the world and right here in West Michigan. 

EVENT PARTNER

, ...
4
MEERKAT MANIA
SEPTEMBER 2 - 4 | SATURDAY - MONDAY

9AM - 6PM

Members | Free
Non-Members | General Admission 

Our very own resident meerkat mob has taken over the zoo! Say hello to our little friends, while they play and sun bathe in their state-of-the-art-exhibit. John Ball Zoo is turning Labor Day weekend into an animal and conservation celebration! Enjoy live music, animal activities, and specialty food for that festival feel. 

EVENT DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 2 
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     JP & The Energy | 12PM-2PM
     Caitlin Cusack | 3:30pm-5:30pm
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

SEPTMBER 3 
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     Mama’s Hot Sauce | 12PM-2PM
     Roots Vibrations | 3:30PM-5:30PM
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

SEPTMBER 4
Live entertainment featuring:
     Greg Secor – Steel Drums | 9AM-10:30AM
     Rusty & the Razorblades | 12PM-2PM
     Olivia Vargas | 3:30PM-5:30PM
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Animal programs throughout the day
Food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, & non-alcoholic drinks available
Free parking

Attending events at John Ball Zoo makes for an unforgettable experience where your money also supports wildlife conservation around the world and right here in West Michigan. 

EVENT PARTNER

, ...
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MONARCH DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 | 9AM - 6PM

Members | Free
Non-Members | General Admission 
We’re turning this into a Pollinator Party! We will be releasing monarch butterflies to help improve their population to support conservation. You can learn all sorts of fun facts about how pollinators help support our natural environment. Mirabelle, Rapunzel, Tinkerbell, and Fawn will be joining us to help spread the message on conservation efforts you can take every day!

EVENT DETAILS

Butterfly releases | 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM & 3PM
Rotating Character Meet-and-Greets | 10AM – 3PM
     Mirabel
     Rapunzel
     Tinkerbell
     Fawn
Story Time with Circle Theatre | 11AM
Aerial performance provided by Gemini Circus | 11AM – 2PM
Live band performance provided by Kohns | 4PM – 6PM
Animal activities throughout the day
Face Painting

*Please note, character rotations occur throughout the day; due to breaks specific character meetings are not guaranteed. 

Attending events at John Ball Zoo makes for an unforgettable experience where your money also supports wildlife conservation around the world and right here in West Michigan. 

EVENT PARTNERS

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THIS EVENT?
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STEAM DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 | 9AM - 6PM

Members | Free
Non-Members | General Admission 
Teachers | Free with valid school ID  presented at ticketing window

John Ball Zoo’s, STEAM Day, encourages guests of all ages to get excited about each aspect of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun, educational experiences. Local schools and organizations will be engaging with guests through different STEAM activities, while also learning about what aspects are used in the Zoo every day through our conservation work, veterinarians, animal keepers, and education programs!

EVENT DETAILS

BOOTHS
Wimee
School of Rock Instrument Petting Zoo
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Grand Rapids Symphony Instrument Discovery | 9AM-12PM
Grand Rapids Montessori | 10AM-2PM
GVSU Regional Math and Science Center & the Greater West Michigan MiSTEM Region
Kent ISD
Van Andel Institute for Education
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park | 9AM-1PM
Hemlock Robotics | 11AM-3PM
Elite Energy Consulting 
John Ball Zoo Habitat Heroes 
John Ball Zoo Penguineering
John Ball Zoo Exhibit Design 

PROGRAM
Live performance from Allendale Jazz Orchestra | 9AM-10:30AM
Ice Guru Graffiti Wall | 12PM-3PM

Attending events at John Ball Zoo makes for an unforgettable experience where your money also supports wildlife conservation around the world and right here in West Michigan. 

EVENT PARTNER

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THIS EVENT?
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October 2023
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JBZ Upcoming Events

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