Opening Day MAY 11th!!
Our Spring Season begins Saturday, May 11th 2024 and runs until June 16th. Spring Hours are Saturdays and Sundays only from 10am-4pm. After June 16th we will be open daily 10am-4pm for the summer. Be sure to check our animal presentation schedule to make the most out of your visit!
Sunday, May 12th is Mothers day!
What better way to celebrate mom then to bring her to Fort Rickey for baby goat snuggles! Mom’s get in free today with the purchase of one child admission! Thank you for all you do Mom’s!!
Disney theme day! Saturday, June 15th!
Come dressed in your favorite Disney character costume and receive a free portion of animal feed! This day will feature face painting, a magic show by Chris Wheel at 1pm, a kids character parade at 2pm, directly followed by sack races and hula hoop contests with prizes, and of course, special guest visits from your favorite Disney Princesses!
HAppy fathers day!
Sunday, June 16th, Fort Rickey is honoring all fathers by giving them free admission today! (with the purchase of 1 Child admission). A Fathers role is so vital, we have nothing but respect for all the Dad’s out there that are lovingly raising their kids!
Kids Night Out!
On Saturday, July 6th 7pm-10pm, we will be re-opening the Zoo after hours this day to allow children the unique opportunity of experiencing the zoo in the evening! Some areas of the zoo really come alive after hours! Don’t miss the chance to hear the wolves howl, the owl hoot, the foxes yell, and the otters splash! SPECIAL ACTIVITIES include a nature scavenger hunt with prizes, a rock painting craft in the picnic area ($3.00), camp fire with smores (smores kits are $4.00), and various cartoon shorts will be shown on the big movie screen after dark! This event will start at 7pm and ends at 10pm. There is a Rain Date set for July 13th.
Regular admission rate applies. Season passes are accepted. The Maternity Ward and the Petting Area will be open from 7pm to 8pm. The Wild Creatures Playland will be open from 7 to 9pm. The Cartoons will play on the center lawn from 9pm to 10pm. (please bring flashlights, bug spray, picnic blankets, and jars for catching fire flies!) Concession stand will be open for the purchasing of food/snacks/drinks 7pm-9pm.
July 20th is SUPER HERO Theme Day!
Come dressed as your favorite super hero and receive a free portion of animal food! (for safety reasons, please no masks that cover the face)
Enjoy learning about the super powers our animals have, participate in the hero parade around the zoo, and experience the SUPER Magic of Chris Wheel (show is at 1pm) Face painting will be available from 11am-2pm… Spider Man, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, and Batman will be here for pictures and autographs!! ALSO The Fort Rickey foot race for kids starts at noon! Sign up upon arrival that day between 10am and 11am to compete in our mini-marathon around the zoo loop. Race will take place at noon, parade to follow directly after the race. Cash prizes awarded! $50.00 for 1st, $25.00 for second and $15.00 for third place! 3 separate races with different distances will be held according to age groups (4-6, 7-11, 12-15). Bailey’s Karate will also be performing a demonstration on the center lawn at 11am!
NEW THIS YEAR: BAILEYS KARATE SCHOOL WILL BE PERFORMING A DEMONSTRATION ON SUPER HERO DAY NEAR THE CENTER LAWN!
AUGUST 10th is PIRATE THEME DAY!
ARRGH! Ah Hoy there! Bring your little maties all dressed up in their best pirate garb and receive a free portion of animal food! We will be featuring pirate themed crafts for purchase, a magic show, games with prizes, and special guest appearances by the characters of the Princess Bride!
NEW THIS YEAR! The Dread Pirate Roberts, Buttercup, Fezzik, and Indigo will be coming to our Pirate Theme Day! Don’t miss your chance to meet them!… Brought to you by “A Time for Legends”
End of Summer Bash Sept.6th 6pm-9pm
It’s always hard saying goodbye to another summer and stepping into a new school year. We get it. Let Fort Rickey help ease them into it by bringing the kids out for an event that is sure to cheer them up! SPECIAL ACTIVITIES include a nature scavenger hunt with prizes, crafts in the party room ($3.00), camp fire with smores (smores kits are $4.00), and various cartoon shorts will be shown on the big movie screen after dark! This event will start at 6pm and ends at 9pm. weather permitting
Rate: Regular admission rate applies. Season passes are accepted. The Maternity Ward and the Petting Area will be open from 6pm-8pm. The Wild Creatures Playland will be open from 6pm-8pm. Cartoons will play on the center lawn from 8pm to 9pm. (please bring flashlights, bug spray, & picnic blankets) Concession stand will be open for the purchase of food/snacks/drinks 6pm-8pm.
ADULTS NIGHT OUT!
Saturday September 14th 6pm-9pm! We’re bringing it back! Join us for this rich experience of enchanting lights, fabulous wine/cider/beer, high class live music by Isaac French, S’mores and warm campfires…all while mingling with friendly deer or hugging baby goats! Must be 18 years or older to attend this event. ID’s will be required upon entry. Regular adult admission rates apply ($10.75 plus tax). Adult beverages only $5.00 a glass (must be 21 to purchase). There will also be SQUISHY’s BBQ food truck on site in the picnic area serving up delicious brisket.
Toddler tuesdays
Toddler Tuesdays is designed for the stay at home mom or dad that would like a day out with the littles while the older kids are at school. This is an exclusive event just for parents and their toddlers. It will take place on Tuesdays starting Sept 24th from 10am-2pm. Activities will include feeding deer in the petting area, playing with the baby goats in the maternity ward, a snake presentation at 11am, access to the wild creatures playland, gift shop and concession stand will be open. Again, this is an exclusive event, adults must be accompanied by a child under the age of 4 to attend. Regular admission rates apply. Please note: Our typical daily animal presentations will not be available on Toddler Tuesdays and the giant pillowbounce and water games will be closed. May cancel in the event of rain. The last Toddler Tuesday for the season will be Oct 22nd.
Homeschool Day, OCTOBER 10th!
Open to homeschoolers only from 10am-4pm. Admission $7.00 per person.
FALL FUN DAYS (weekends only starting Sept. 21st & ending Nov. 3rd)
Fall Fun Days
Fall fun days are weekends only (Saturdays and Sundays)from 10 am until 4 pm. Our season ends Nov. 3rd, 2024, weather permitting! Fall Fun Days feature Antique Tractor pull rides around the loop of the zoo, Pumpkin decorating and Crafts, a Kid’s Fun Maze, Campfire with S’mores, as well as our Educational Animal Presentations and access to the Wild Creature’s Playland with Pillow bounce. Fall Food Favorites are also available for purchase including: Cider, Fresh Donuts from FERLO’s, Homemade Fudge, Caramel Apples, Chili, Macaroni & Cheese, Pumpkin Bread, and much more! NEW THIS YEAR: We will be adding to the excitement and fun with our Encounter Raffles! Enter one of our 5 animal encounter raffles for only $5.00 per entry and win a chance to get up close to your favorite zoo friends! Encounters will include Capybara petting (12:30pm), Owl feeding (2:30 pm), Wallaby joey snuggling (1:00pm), a ride on Zoey the horse (1:30pm), or a picture with our new 13 foot albino python, “Mango” (12:15 pm). Encounters are limited to 1 winner per drawing (children may be accompanied by 1 adult), age restrictions vary depending on animal, winners will be announced at noon, see raffle desk for details.
The Price Of Admission is $10.75 for Adults $8.75 for children (2-15y)
Tractor Pull Rides are $2.50 a ticket
Pumpkins are $4.00 each * S’MORES KITS ARE $5.00 EACH
All ACTIVITIES ARE WEATHER PERMITTING.
Season Passes are accepted throughout the Fall Fun Days.
Crafts at the Zoo Event! Oct.5th 10am-4pm
Local craft vendors come together at the zoo this day to share their unique treasures with you! Spend the day browsing and shopping while visiting your favorite zoo animals!! This event will feature live music, a magic show at 11am, antique tractor pull rides, animal encounter raffles (enter by noon), delicious food, and more! What a fun way to “pet and shop”! Admission is lowered to $7.00 per person! (Season passes are accepted for this event)
TO BECOME A VENDOR AT THIS EVENT PLEASE CONTACT CHARLES at 315-338-3363
Small Business Saturday
SHOP SMALL!!! On Nov 30th and Dec. 1st , The Gift Shop is OPEN from 10am-4pm. Everything, including Season Passes for 2025, will be on sale! Shoppers can also enjoy strolling through the zoo at no charge with complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes. Rumor has it Santa Claus will be visiting as well!