With three summertime events starting June 19, visitors can enjoy watching their favorite animals after hours  

John Ball Zoo kicks off its summer celebration on Thursday, June 19, with its fun-filled Summer Nights series, where visitors can enjoy delicious dinner options, live music, a stilt walker, animal activities and more, all while watching your favorite animals after hours. 

 

In addition to June 19, Summer Nights will be held July 31 and Aug. 28, all from 6-9 p.m. and feature a variety of entertainment including West Michigan-based band Project 90, experiences open late including the zip line, ropes course and camel rides. Tickets for children and seniors are $16.95 and $21.95 for adults, with Zoo members enjoying a 20% discount. 

 

“John Ball Zoo’s Summer Nights series celebrates our fantastic Michigan summers as well as the more than 2,000 amazing animals we care for,” said Mariah Malone, events coordinator at John Ball Zoo. “We’re excited to open our doors after hours during these warmer months for families and visitors so they can enjoy delicious dinner options, great entertainment and fun activities and see what our many animal residents do when night falls. Summer Nights is another way we can engage our community and connect them with the conservation and educational work we do in a fun and family-friendly way.”  

 

The Summer Nights series contributes to the Zoo’s conservation mission by providing engaging and educational experiences to visitors, generating funds to support conservation efforts and shining a spotlight on the importance of wildlife conservation. 

 

Visitors to Summer Nights will enjoy live entertainment from the following: 

 

  • Project 90, a high energy West Michigan ‘90s rock band, will perform on June 19 and bring back memories of “pogs and boy bands, furbies and ‘Friends’,” the long-running TV sitcom. 
  • On July 31, Detroit Music Award winner Roots Vibration will showcase its repertoire of reggae, Afrobeats and other musical stylings of the Caribbean. 
  • Grand Rapids-based jam-rock supergroup Spuddies closes out the Summer Nights series on Aug. 28 with its blend of improvisation and experimentation. 
  • Embodied Arts will enthrall visitors on all three Summer Nights events with a variety of jaw-dropping performances