Feast with the Beasts at the Knoxville Zoo

By Jeaneane Payne

Get ready, Knoxville, for some lively entertainment at the Knoxville Zoo on Saturday, August 20, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.

One of the zoo's biggest annual fundraisers, Feast with the Beasts, is getting revved up for an evening of eating, drinking, and dancing.

Over 30 area restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distributors will be serving up some great food and drinks to suit everyone's palate. Everything from appetizers to desserts will be available from Bayou Bay Seafood House, Highland Brewing Company, Puleo's Grille, Bean's Creek Winery, Brixx Pizza, Ole Smoky Distillery, Sapphire Knoxville, Moe's Southwest Grill, Texas Roadhouse, O'Charley's, Abner's Attic Catering, Latitude 35, Blue Coast Burrito and Smoky Mountain Brewery and a number of other businesses.

Keeping the evening lively will be music on three stages. Performing on the main Plaza stage will be Second Opinion who will play danceable music from classics to contemporary hits. The Kids Cove stage will feature Dream On Alice with hits from the 70s to the present. On the Animal Encounter Village stage will be Homemade Wine playing songs for those who are on "island time." Tuatha Dea Drum Nation will entertain those interested in a special drum experience.

Tickets for Feast with the Beasts are $60 per person in advance and $70 the day of the event. Zoo members receive a $5 discount. If you buy nine tickets, you will get the tenth ticket free. Tickets are on sale at area ORNL Federal Credit Union branches and Knoxville Zoo's ticket window during zoo hours. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.knoxville-zoo.org or by calling (865) 637-5331.

You must be 21 years of age and over and show a valid photo I.D. to enter the event.

All proceeds directly benefit Knoxville Zoo. For more information, visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.

Published January 18, 2011