The Hattiesburg Zoo will kick off its 75th Anniversary year-long celebration, EXPLORE THE WILD, EMBRACE THE WONDER! on Saturday, April 26th with a full slate of activities that will delight guests of all ages.
The Kamper Park Zoo was opened Easter Sunday, 1950. Throughout the past 75 years the zoo has experienced a vast array of milestones and transformations during that time including its name, which changed from Kamper Park Zoo to Hattiesburg Zoo at Kamper Park and now, Hattiesburg Zoo.
What began as a small menagerie of native animals collected over the years by neighborhood children, has now become a well-respected and accredited facility of the Zoological Association of America. Having experienced an extensive evolution during its 75 years of operation, the Hattiesburg Zoo remains committed to its core purpose of promoting conservation, education and wildlife. “The arrival of this 75-year milestone is truly special for the Hattiesburg Zoo,” said Rick Taylor, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, which has overseen and operated the Hattiesburg Zoo since 2010. “We are very proud of what the Hattiesburg Zoo has become and how we have been able to grow it into one of the Southeast’s premier family attractions.” “The Hattiesburg Zoo provides guests opportunities to explore the wild, and embrace the wonder in this extraordinary place,” continued Taylor.
Hattiesburg Zoo’s 75th Anniversary Kick Off Celebration – April 26th
9:45 a.m.
• Unveiling of the timeline highlighting moments in the Zoo’s 75 years of operation.
• Unveiling of the 75th Anniversary Zoo stories and photos webpage
• Viewing of the Hattiesburg Zoo’s EXPLORE THE WILD, EMBRACE THE WONDER! 75th Anniversary Commercial
• Presentation of a very special guest.
• Cutting of the ribbon for the new Flamingo Habitat
10:30 a.m.
• Birthday Cake Enrichment for Colobus Monkey, Mojo (Africa)
11:00 a.m.
• Giraffe Feeding (tickets for purchase, available on first-come, first served basis at Zawadi Market under the Giraffe Pavilion)
12:00 noon
• Birthday Cake Enrichment for Hyena, Pili (Africa)
1:00 p.m.
• Mini Birthday Cupcakes at the front of the Asbury Discovery Center (500 available)
1:30 p.m.
• Singing of the Happy Birthday song, Ribbon Cutting at Tiger Training and Tiger Training Demonstration
2:00 p.m.
• Birthday Cake Enrichment for Giraffe, Alberta (Bertie)
All Day
• Face Painters - Lakeview Pavilion
• Splash Pad Party with the addition of large animal printed beach balls
• Roaming Animal Experiences (throughout the zoo)
• Create your own Birthday Hat at Flamingo Pavilion
• Birthday cake flavored Snow Cones (available for purchase)
• 75th Anniversary photo props at the new Hattiesburg Zoo photo-op sign (In front of the Splash Pad)
• Jump Houses
• Ropes Course Adventure
• Mining Exhibit
• Bug Hub Playground
Earth Day Activities (All Day)
• Seed bombs – (Prairie Dog Plaza) Guests will combine MS Milkweed with a combination of soil and clay to take home and plant. Seed bombs are a great way to casually plant seed in the fall or early spring. Milkweed seed is a low-maintenance perennial that is a ‘must-have’ for any pollinator garden.
• Educational Carts located around the zoo will have opportunities for guests to learn about various facets of science related to animals at the zoo.
• Crosby Arboretum Staff (Prairie Dog Plaza) – native plants
The Hattiesburg Zoo’s 75th Anniversary kick off on April 26th, is just the start of the celebration as the Hattiesburg Zoo will keep the party going all year long with its Second Saturday Celebrations. “Some people like to extend their birthday celebrations from a single day to a week or a month, but we are taking it one step further,” said Demetric Kelly, Director of Guest Services and Retail. “We will celebrate the zoo’s 75th Anniversary all year long!”
Second Saturday Celebrations will take place on the following dates with a different theme each month.
2025
May 10 Zoo Tunes
June 14 Wild Wonders Scavenger Hunt
July 12 Christmas in July
August 9 Wildlife Dance Party
September 13 Wellness in the Wild
October 11 Into the Wild Costume Parade and Contest
November 8 Kookaburra Karaoke and Zoo Idol
December 13 Lights of the Wild with Saint Nicholas
2026
January 10 Wild Wisdom Trivia & Bingo Bongo
February 14 Love in the Wild
March 14 Animal Art Extravaganza
April 11 Birthday Blowout!
75th Anniversary Gala (special ticketed evening event)
Each Second Saturday Celebration will be filled with plenty of wild adventure and moments of wonder. “Our guests will want to mark their calendars to be with us for each of these 75th Anniversary special celebration days,” said Kelly. “These are not-to-be-missed days at the zoo.”
The Hattiesburg Zoo’s 75th Anniversary Kick Off and Second Saturday Celebrations are regular zoo admission prices, and annual passes do apply. Guests are encouraged to purchase online tickets in advance. Online ticket sales end at 9:00 a.m. for same-day entry.
