ROYAL OAK, Mich., August 18, 2006 – Kids in Michigan will enjoy an extended summer vacation this year compliments of the Michigan Legislature who passed a bill mandating that all public and charter schools postpone the start of the school year until after Labor Day. 

In celebration of the prolonged summer season, the Detroit Zoo will offer $5 admission for children ages 2 to 12 from August 28 to 31, a savings of $2 per child.

“This is a perfect opportunity for kids and parents to go wild at the Zoo one last time before the bell rings,” said Ron Kagan, Executive Director of the Detroit Zoological Society.

Families can take advantage of extended Zoo hours on Wednesday, August 30, while enjoying the Wild Summer Nights Concert Series.  Children’s musician James Coffey will perform in the Zoo’s main picnic grove at 6:30 p.m. and the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m.  The concert is free with Zoo admission.
 
The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 398-0900 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March, and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 

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