All proceeds raised goes directly to the Charles Paddock Zoo
ATASCADERO — Kids and adults headed to the Charles Paddock Zoo to beat the heat on Saturday, July 13. The evening marked the 21st Annual Ice Cream Zoofari, where participants could sample up to 30 flavors of ice cream while getting wild with the animals at the zoo and all to help the animals.
“It’s so fun. It’s such a fun community feel. Community event,” said the Zoo’s brand-new director, Dr. Cynthia Stringfield. “How could you not be happy when you’re walking around getting all these kinds of ice cream? Everybody is so happy. Everybody’s here with their families.”
Stringfield, who’s been at the zoo a little over two weeks, was at one of the 15 tables throughout the zoo scooping ice cream and meeting Atascadero residents alongside her own daughter.
“I’m so greatful and honored to be here,” she added. “This is a dream place for me. So i just keep pinching myself that I’m actually living in Atascadero and that I’m the director at the zoo.”
There were 30 different types of ice cream for everyone to try and everyone was able to try as many flavors as they wanted during the two-and-a-half hour event. On top of Stringfield and her daughter, the other tables were manned by city officials, well-known community members, and the event’s sponsors.
“The vendors are — we have the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts volunteering to help us. Then we also have the Rotary Club out here helping, which is awesome,” said Terrie Banish, the City’s Director of Community Services and Promotions. “The main vendor is The Scoop in Atascadero. They’re on the corner of El Camino Real and Curbaril. They’re amazing, and their ice cream’s served fresh. They started making it on Wednesday.”
The Scoop provided all the ice cream at the Zoofari, and from the looks on everyone’s faces, their all-you-can-eat, cold treats were a huge hit.
“It’s really important that we’re supporting our businesses here in our city,” added Banish.
The weather, though still warm, chose to lighten up and make it so the ice cream didn’t melt in your hand before you got a chance to eat it.
“It’s a lot of fun, that’s all I can say,” said member of the Atascadero Rotary Club, Don Idler. “To see all the smiles on the faces of not only the kids but their parents. It’s a great community event where people are just enjoying each other and their just enjoying their time. And we got a tremendous break in the weather.”
Though the zoo’s animals and the ice cream took center stage, Andy Morris was also there performing magic and alsoDJed the Zoofari. The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society was also there with some of their model trains.
All proceeds from the Zoofari go to the zoo’s educational and conservation efforts.
“It’s a lot of fun to have all the animals out and showcase our gem in Atascadero,” Banish stated.
Charles Paddock Zoo’s Ice Cream Zoofari will be back next year on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Feature Image: City Councilmember Charles Bourbeau (left) and Don Idler (right) serve ice cream at the 21st Annual Ice Cream Zoofari. Photo by Rick Evans.
