Central Coast Zoo event puts the animals first while featuring local breweries, wineries and other vendors
ATASCADERO — “Party With Purpose” was the theme Sept. 12 as hundreds turned out for the 13th annual Brew at the Zoo, where even some of the residing creatures seemed happy to put in some overtime for the benefit of conservation.
Central Coast Zoo extended its normal hours for the event on a mild Saturday evening in Atascadero as hundreds of attendees were treated to beer, cider, seltzer, and wine tastings, as well as tasty bites, from more than two dozen vendors across San Luis Obispo County and beyond.
The event included plenty of entertainment, with live bands and a DJ, raffles, and a zoo animal costume contest. But the resident animals were the real stars, from the leaping spider monkeys hanging upside down by their long, fluffy tails to the macaws’ and parrots’ back-and-forth howls; and from the colorful pink flamingos’ wade-pool welcome near the front gate to the ring-tailed lemurs engaged in staring contests with visitors.
Terrie Banish, the zoo’s Community Services and Promotions director, estimated total attendance near 500, with ticket sales close to 400. That turnout, she said, was “soft” compared with previous years, and she chalked it up to an eventful weekend in the county, with the Avocado & Margarita Street Festival in Morro Bay and the Creston Rodeo taking place on the same day.
“We’re going to reevaluate the date for next year because September gets a little crazy,” Banish told the Atascadero News. “Kids are just getting back to school and routines. We had a great turnout; it’s lower than last year, but not by much. But when you look at pre-pandemic, we would double this number. September is just a tough month, so we’ll probably look at that.”
Banish wasn’t able to provide a final dollar amount raised, but with nearly 400 tickets sold at about $45 each, it could be as much as $18,000, before sponsor funds. Proceeds go to the zoo’s ongoing education and conservation efforts.
Central Coast Zoo, accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), is home to more than 60 species and 200 animals and is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, as well as educating the public about all wildlife and the environments in which they live. The zoo, owned and operated by the city of Atascadero, was established in 1955 and settled at its current location in 1963.
Many of the vendors at this year’s Brew at the Zoo were veterans of the event, such as Firestone Walker, Wild Fields Brewing, and Eberle Winery. But there were a few newcomers, too, such as California Coast Beer, Third Window Brewing, and Lone Madrone Winery, according to Banish. A-Town Humble Pies, Huatulco Taco and Quesadilla Gorilla provided the food offerings.
There was no shortage of live music, with the Lion Remain Band opening up for the Vibe Setters, the Andrew Sedley Jazz Trio playing throughout the three-hour event, and DJ Chris with Subtone Records setting the mood for the costume, hula-hoop, and dance contests.
“We had a little bit more entertainment this year,” Banish said.
Sponsors for this year’s Brew at the Zoo included Avila Traffic Safety, Mechanics Bank, Coastal Communities Physician Network, Hart Family Chiropractic, Radiology & Associates, Fatte’s Pizza, and MGP Coatings.
Banish wanted to acknowledge those sponsors, as well as the many volunteers who made the event happen.
“It’s been very good attendance despite (the competing events), with folks really looking to donate, do things for the zoo, and that’s important,” she said. “All in all, we definitely had a great evening that people enjoyed.”
But she reiterated that there may be a change in the event’s date in the years ahead.
“It’s important to really look at the calendar,” Banish said. “So, we’re going to look at that big time.”
Feature Image: Central Coast Zoo staff members show off some of the beverages available at the 13th annual Brew at the Zoo at the zoo on Sept. 12. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN