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Como Park Zoo and Conservatory special events, March and April

March 6, 2013 — Leave a comment
Scoping out the Twin Cities area for items of interest.

Scoping out the Twin Cities area for items of interest.

Highlights for special events or activities that will take place at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota during the months of March and April, 2013 include:

  • Music Under Glass Sundays, March 10, 17, 24, 31, 2013;
  • Camp Como Registration opens March 6, 2013;
  • Winter Flower Show in the Sunken Garden ends March 17, 2013;
  • Spring Flower Show in the Sunken Garden, 3/23/2013 to 4/28/2013;
  • The Ordway Gardens Grand Opening Weekend, 4/19/2013 to 4/21/2013

Here is more information to get you to the right place at the right time:

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On the Twin Cities Beat on 12/17/12 with upcoming events

December 17, 2012 — Leave a comment
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Scoping out the Twin Cities area for items of interest.

Highlights for three events or activities in the Twin Cities area:

  • Fleetwood Mac Live 2013 tickets available on December 17, 2012;
  • “Noon Year’s Eve” at Como Park (two-day event);
  • Recycle unwanted holiday lights and electrical cords

Here is more information to get you to the right place at the right time:

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Celebrating Halloween at the Twin Cities’ zoos

October 4, 2012 — 2 Comments
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A Halloween paper decoration, circa 1920-1950. The scarecrow doesn’t look all that scary – the crows want to be his friend!

Family-friendly trick-or-treat opportunities will be available on a variety of dates at both of the Twin Cities’ zoos prior to Halloween.  In addition, Minnesota Zoo members who meet registration requirements will be able to join in the Halloween festivities at that site on October 31, 2012.

Here are details about Halloween events at the zoos:

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When you’re visiting Como Zoo in St. Paul, say ‘hello’ to Berlin

August 20, 2012 — Leave a comment
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A handsome polar bear, name unknown, enjoying some summer water play at its home in the Cincinnati Zoo.

No, the photo to the left is not one of Berlin – unfortunately, I don’t have an image readily available of her.

Who is Berlln? She is the female polar bear that has been temporarily relocated to Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota due to the flood that occurred in Duluth in June. The photogenic bear that is pictured here resides at the Cincinnati Zoo and “posed” for this photo in 2010.

Berlin, the newest inhabitant at Como Zoo’s Polar Bear Odyssey Exhibit, is now on public display.  You can see a photo of her enjoying her new habitat along with Como’s polar bears named Buzz and Neil by clicking here.

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‘Groovin’ in the Garden’ free outdoor concert series at Como Park Zoo

August 3, 2012 — 2 Comments
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A beautiful location to do some groovin’ in Saint Paul!

Free is good, but that’s not all – this concert series is held outside in a beautiful Saint Paul, Minnesota setting, boasts a variety of music genres, and even has lawn games and a cash bar provided.

‘Groovin’ in the Garden’ is a free outdoor concert series held at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory on the Visitor Center Lawn every Wednesday in August plus on September 5th.  The hours are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Zoo News in the Twin Cities for June, 2012

June 2, 2012 — 2 Comments

Just as the Cafesjian's Carousel is much enjoyed at Como Park, carousels are popular worldwide. These two carousel pigs, hand-made in the late 19th century, delight visitors at an amusement park in Sweden.

From butterflies to dinosaurs, the Minnesota Zoo has exhibits, animals and special summer events in June, 2012 that will be of interest to all ages.

The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is also stepping up its summer fun activities.  To make it easier for visitors to travel to the zoo, they provide a convenient shuttle bus that takes zoo goers almost to the doors of the Visitor Center.

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Zoo News in the Twin Cities for May, 2012

April 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

Photo by R.C.: A show at the Como Park Conservatory in March, 2007. No photo available of the all new and stunning flower show that just opened on April 28, 2012.

Whether you are trekking through the exhibit areas indoors or outside, the zoos have it covered when it comes to showcasing fun on a spring day – relaxing, entertaining, educational and often a bit of silly-style fun when it comes to enjoying the animal exhibits.

Money-wise, zoos are great on the family budget.  The Como Zoo in St. Paul is always free, and the fee for the Conservatory is nominal.  There is an admission fee for The Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota; however, the Zoo is inviting Moms for their special Macy’s Mother’s Day Weekend celebration and Moms get in FREE that weekend.

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New Year’s Celebration at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

December 13, 2011 — Leave a comment

Como Park will put their own spin on a ball drop by using beach balls!

Como Park has a New Year’s family event planned that they are doing twice, once on 12/31/11 and again on 1/01/12.  Their “Noon Year’s Celebration” begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center and ends at 1:00 p.m. after a very busy three hours of New Year celebration.

Noon Year’s Eve is free and includes a variety of activities geared to children and older family members alike.

The “Noon Year’s Celebration” schedule from their website:

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Como Conservatory ‘Holiday Flower Show’ features an ice and frost theme

November 12, 2011 — Leave a comment

The Holiday Flower Show will feature hundreds of poinsettias that have all been grown on-site at the Conservatory.

Don’t forget to bring your camera when you take in the flower show at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul beginning December 3, 2011.  The 2011 show sounds especially stunning as it is described on the Como Park website:

“The  ’Holiday Flower Show,’ beginning December 3, 2011 in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, is a visual sensation to behold featuring hundreds of poinsettias that have all been grown on-site. This year the Sunken Garden (enjoy 12 seasonal photos at that link) features an ice and frost theme showcasing the cultivars Ice Punch, Ice Crystals, Ruby Frost, and Red Glitter.

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Upcoming Events at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory – ‘Zoo Boo’ Plus Lots More!

September 6, 2011 — Leave a comment

Orang Awareness Weekend will take place on the Zoo Grounds November 5 and 6. Visitors will be able to learn more about the endangered orangutan.

There is a wide variety of programming planned for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory between now and the end of the year, with special events for various age groups and interests.

Here is a recap from the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s website of some of the special events on their calendar, including Halloween surprises at the annual Zoo Boo:

1) Grandparent’s Safari…No Passport Required!
Zoo Grounds
September 10 and 11, 2011:  10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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