Grandfather Mountain will celebrate resident animals with an annual birthday party featuring interactive activities and animal encounters.
LINVILLE, N.C. — Wildlife enthusiasts and families will have the chance to party with bears, otters, cougars and more when Grandfather Mountain hosts its beloved annual Animal Birthday Party on Wednesday, June 11.
The celebration at the not-for-profit nature park, operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, honors all resident animals as they mark another year of life. The festivities are included with regular park admission and promise a day packed with interactive activities, educational programs and sweet surprises.
“We look forward to the Animal Birthday Party every year,” Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, said. “It’s one of our favorite traditions to share with guests, as everyone is able to be part of the celebration through enrichments, games and more.”
The party kicks off at 11 a.m. and runs until 3:30 p.m., featuring activities designed for all ages. Visitors can test their animal knowledge in a special contest, create personalized birthday cards for the animals, and participate in nature games including “A Walk in the Woods” interactive experience. A behind-the-scenes tour is available at the beginning of the party, but costs an extra fee and must be booked online in advance.
One of the day’s highlights will be the Animal Enrichment Parade at 2:45 p.m., where guests can follow staff members to observe elk, otters, cougars and bears receiving special birthday enrichments at their respective overlooks.
The celebration also includes unique animal encounters, allowing visitors to meet resident snakes and a groundhog, plus a “Creepy Critter Corner” featuring some of the mountain’s more unusual inhabitants. Free birthday cake (for humans, of course) will be served from 1 to 2 p.m.
Contest participants will compete throughout the day for the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and visit the animal they demonstrated knowledge about. Winners, who must be present for the 2:15 p.m. drawing, can bring family members along for the exclusive experience.
Millie the Bear, Grandfather Mountain’s mascot, will also make special appearances throughout the festivities.
For those wanting to give the animals birthday gifts, Grandfather Mountain maintains an Amazon wish list featuring toys and supplies that can be delivered directly to the park. Animal lovers can also participate in the Adopt-an-Animal Program, which provides adopters with photos, certificates and information about their chosen animal.
Admission rates and information on purchasing tickets online can be found on the Grandfather Mountain website.
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