Join Nashville Zoo on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-10 p.m. for Sunset Safari, presented by UBS. This year’s event features more than 50 of Music City’s most popular restaurants, live music, and special animal guests.
Guests can take an evening stroll through the lush pathways of the Zoo as they enjoy appetizers, entrees, sweets, and beverages from Nashville’s finest restaurants. Animal encounters and live entertainment will accompany the culinary delights along the trail.
NEW THIS YEAR: Best Dish Competition. Competition judges, including Andrew Little (Executive Chef at Josephine), Brad Schmitt (columnist for Inside Nashville for The Tennessean) and Abby Demmer (founder of The Nashville Guide), will award "best savory dish" and "best sweet dish" to their Sunset Safari favorites. PLUS, guests can vote for their favorite for the People's Choice Award! There will also be a silent auction featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences.
To prepare for the event, the Zoo will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19. Tickets are $150 for the main event, $250 at the patron level and $1,000 at the benefactor level, which includes tickets for two. Patron and benefactor attendees can enjoy early entry at 5:30 p.m.
Some of the restaurants attending this year's event are: Chaatable, Deacon's New South, Edley's Bar-B-Que, Kayne Prime, The Green Pheasant and Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen.
Co-chairs of this event are Allison DeMarcus, Julie Dretler, Karly Hart and Jennie Garth Lowe. Presenting benefactors for the event include Cathy and Jerry Johnson, Nora and Kent Kirby and Wanda and Jerry Lyle.
Sunset Safari is presented by UBS and supported by Coca-Cola, Famous Footwear, Frugal MacDoogal, Liberty Party Rental, Nashville Machine Company, Neely Coble Company, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Solomon Builders, Service Systems Associates, Sunrise Contracting, Temptations, and Tennessee Titans. Additional sponsors include Allen Printing, Benefit Communications, Cushman & Wakefield + Rob and Jennie Garth Lowe, Enterprise Holdings, Humphrey & Partners, Novatech, Peffen Cline Masonry Group, and Renasant Bank.
About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard. The Zoo attracts more than 1,000,000 visitors annually and is considered one of the top attractions in Nashville. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit nashvillezoo.org