Brookfield, Ill. — Over the past year, zoos and aquariums around the country, including Brookfield Zoo, were forced to temporary close to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Now open with a limited capacity, the pandemic has had a dire financial impact on Brookfield Zoo with a significant loss of revenue. It costs about $41,000 a day to provide for the zoo's more than 2,500 animals, including purchasing and preparing food, quality testing of food, daily habitat cleaning, training to assist in daily care, and veterinary care.
To help during these unprecedented times, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Contemporary Productions are partnering for an all-star virtual benefit concert with some of country music's biggest stars to help raise funds for accredited zoos and aquariums. The streamed concert, takes place on Wednesday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. CT, and will feature performances by Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Ashley McBryde, Wynonna, Riley Green, Jessie James Decker, and Shy Carter. The event's emcee is Cody Alan, host of Country Music Television's Hot 20 Countdown and of iHeartRadio's CMT After Midnite and CMT Radio Live. The performances were shot on location at Nashville Zoo, Grassmere, and the Steel Mill studios in Nashville, Tenn.
For a $30 contribution—half of which directly benefits the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo—viewers will be able to enjoy from anywhere this one-time exclusive star-filled event while helping the zoo. During the show, viewers will also have the opportunity to make additional donations in real-time, with proceeds directly benefiting Brookfield Zoo.
For additional information and to purchase tickets via the link that will directly benefit Brookfield Zoo, go to CZS.org/AllTogetherForAnimals.
