Tag Archives: FONZ

March 7, 2011 · 3:42 pm

Plan Ahead for These Special Events

Some events are worth clearing the calendar for weeks ahead of time.  A few annual favorites that merit advance planning are coming up in the next couple of months.  Tickets are on sale for all of them, and I’ve found a couple of discounts and special offers, to boot!

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
When:    March 24 – 27, various times
Where:  Verizon Center
Tickets:  $14 – $100 (read below for special offers)
The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to the Verizon Center for five days of circus thrills. Barnum 200 – Barnum’s Funundrum features 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids — a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it. This monumental, once in a lifetime event celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the legendary P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, and can only be experienced at The Greatest Show On Earth, Barnum’s living legacy. Goldstar currently has a half-price offer on select seats and dates.  You can also get a $5 promo code if you follow @RinglingTweets on Twitter.

NatsFest and Opening Day
When:    March 30, 4pm – NatsFest & March 31 – Opening Day
Where:   Nationals Park
Tickets:   NatsFest $10/adults, $5/children, packages also available (see below); Opening Day – starting at $20, but cheaper seats are going fast
Celebrate the start of the Nationals 2011 season on Wednesday, March 30, the afternoon before MLB Opening Day. The Third Annual NatsFest will be open to fans of all ages and will include opportunities to watch the Nationals practice, enjoy a meet-and-greet with players and coaches, and much more fun for fans, especially young ones. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.  You might also consider buying the NatsFest 3-Pack, which includes tickets to NatsFest and two other games.  And if you want to experience America’s pastime on Opening Day, tickets are still available for the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Florida Marlins.

Day Out with Thomas
When:    April 29 – May 1 & May 6-8
Where:   B&O Railroad Museum
Tickets:   $19
All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine™ is chugging into the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore for Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour 2011.  Thomas fans are invited to come spend the day with their favorite No. 1 engine and experience a day full of locomotive fun, including a ride on a full size Thomas the Tank Engine™, a meet and greet with Sir Topham Hat, storytelling, live music, and even more museum activities.

Guppy Gala
When:    May 13, 6 – 8:30pm
Where:   The National Zoo
Tickets:   $20 for FONZ members only
Note: This annual family-friendly event is now for FONZ members only!  Dive into an ocean of fun at Guppy Gala. Bring the whole gang for a night of tasty treats, silly songs, and fun. Plus, dinner provided by Subway. In addition to exciting animal encounters and yummy food, a variety of spectacular activities such as rock climbing, face painting and specially designed, kid-friendly obstacle courses are all free with the cost of your ticket.  You can also see the lion cubs at dusk — the entire pride will be on exhibit during Guppy Gala.



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September 16, 2010 · 1:35 pm

Fiesta at the National Zoo

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the National Zoo. FONZ is hosting Fiesta Musical this Sunday, September 19, from 11am – 5pm. The annual event will include animal demos, Hispanic and Latino music and foods, costumed dancers, and crafts for sale.

All of the animal demos will showcase species from Central and South American habitats–the Andean bear, Mexican red-kneed tarantula, armadillo, anaconda, and more fascinating fauna. See the website for the animal demo schedule.

The craft market will include handmade jewelry, sweaters, clay sculptures, bags, finger puppets, and drums.

Admission to the event is free, but if you drive and park in the Zoo lot, be prepared to pay–$10 for the first hour, $15 for two to three hours, and $20 for more than three hours. Parking is free for FONZ members.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, DC, Festival, Live Entertainment, Music, Outdoor, Weekend

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August 31, 2010 · 12:51 pm

Boo at the Zoo Tickets on Sale Tomorrow

Tickets for Boo at the Zoo will go on sale to the general public tomorrow, September 1.  The National Zoo’s annual Halloween celebration will take place October 22, 23, & 24 from 5:30-8:30pm.  Admission is $30/person for non-members of FONZ and $20/person for members.  Coupons good for $2 off non-member tickets  are available at local Hair Cuttery locations.

For more information about Boo at the Zoo, visit  the FONZ website.

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August 16, 2010 · 12:21 pm

Boo at the Zoo Tix on Sale for FONZ Members

When the costume catalogs start to arrive, it’s officially acceptable to start planning for Halloween–even when they come as early as mid-August. Not only have we received new reading for the kids (both Owen and Sasha are captivated by pictures of superheroes, cartoon characters, and princesses), the emails are invading my inbox as well.  And they are working–already I am worried that all the good stuff is going to get snatched up before I’m ready to commit to costumes. But when my kids have a new favorite every week, it’s risky to buy so far in advance!

It seems the National Zoo is on the same schedule as the costume people because as of today,  Boo at the Zoo tickets are on sale for FONZ members.  The cost is $20 for all visitors ages 2 and over.  Tickets for non-members will go on sale September 1 for $30.  You can purchase tickets at the National Zoo gift shops, through Ticketmaster, or by calling the Zoo’s ticket line at 202.633.0151 (a $2/ticket service fee will apply).

If you haven’t been to Boo at the Zoo, I recommend checking it out.  It’s a DC tradition and a blast for kids (the zoo recommends it for ages 2 – 12, and I’d say that’s about right).  Kids can trick-or-treat their way through a wild Halloween party that includes 40 treat stations, animal encounters, and loads of spooky fun.  It’s a great, family-friendly way to celebrate one of the most fun holidays of the year.

Boo at the Zoo will take place on October 22, 23, and 24 this year.  Festivities will run from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

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Filed under DC, Gradeschoolers, Outdoor, Preschoolers, Preteens, Toddlers

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May 9, 2010 · 10:22 pm

The Zoo After Hours

I could probably take my kids to the National Zoo every single day, and they wouldn’t get tired of it. In fact, the more we go, the more I think Owen digs it. He takes pride in knowing exactly where to find the elephants and zebras, what all the signs say (because he’s had them read to him so many times), and which vending machines sell the best treats. Of course, it’s not all about being an expert zoogoer; the kids love viewing the animals, too. And if one of them poops (the animals, not my kids), then Hallelujah! My kids’ day has been made.

Okay, I’m getting sidetracked here. The point of all this is that the zoo rocks. And not just for the everyday, ongoing animal attractions. The special events are awesome, too. And this Friday, May 14, will be no exception when the annual Guppy Gala takes place. It’s both a fun event and a fundraiser to support animal care, conservation science, education and sustainability at the National Zoo.

From 6pm – 8:30pm, there will be tons for kids to enjoy including obstacle courses, rock-climbing walls, a mock construction site, painting, live entertainment, jugglers, and constumed characters. For zoo-related activities, head to the UnitedHealthcare Veterinary Center where zoo vets will perform “check-ups” on stuffed animals (kids can bring in their “sick” plush toys). Also check out the Giant Zootrition tent for a fun lesson in animal nutrition.

Don’t worry about cooking that night—Subway will be making dinner, and Giant will be providing treats.

Admission to Guppy Gala is $15 for FONZ members, $25 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online (with additional service fee) or at the zoo this week. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door. Children ages 2 and older need tickets to enter.

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