HEB Presents - Kids Appreciation Day at Gladys Porter Zoo

Description

The Gladys Porter Zoo invites Rio Grande Valley families to celebrate the 22nd Annual Kids Appreciation Day, presented by H-E-B, on Saturday, July 25th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

To help families join in the celebration, parents of children ages 2 to 13 can pick up a "Child Free with Paid Adult" admission coupon at any H-E-B location in Brownsville. These exclusive promotional passes are valid only on Saturday, July 25th. Additionally, if families have not had a chance to use their Summer Pass issued through Region One school districts, this event is the perfect time to redeem it for a fun-filled day at the Zoo!

Upon entering the Zoo, children will receive an event passport that guides them on an adventure around the grounds. Passport stops feature interactive stations focusing on health and wellness, child safety, wildlife conservation, and community resources—making it an ideal outing for families spending quality time together while preparing for the upcoming school year.

The first 1,500 children to receive their event passport will also be awarded a free backpack filled with essential school supplies to kick-start their academic year. Children who complete their event passports can enter a raffle for a chance to win incredible prizes, including brand-new bicycles, gift cards, and backpacks filled to the brim with everything they need for the school year.

In addition to the day's special festivities, families attending Kids Appreciation Day will have the chance to experience the Zoo’s newest highlights:

• Wild Explorer VR Experience: Take an immersive, state-of-the-art virtual reality journey that places riders right in the center of wild animal habitats. VR Experience fee is $7.00.
• Return of the Keel-Billed Toucan: Visit the Tropical America aviary to catch a glimpse of the vibrant Keel-Billed Toucan—making its triumphant return to the Gladys Porter Zoo animal collection after a 10-year absence.

"We are profoundly grateful to H-E-B and all of our incredible community sponsors for their unwavering support," said Cynthia Garza-Galvan, Marketing Director. "Distributing 1,500 backpacks with school supplies to our Valley students is a tradition we look forward to every single year. Combining back-to-school preparation with new Zoo attractions like our Wild Explorer VR Experience and the return of the keel-billed toucan makes this year’s event extra special for local families."

This community event is made possible thanks to generous support from H-E-B Helping Here, Chick-fil-A, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Raising Cane's, Whataburger, the City of Brownsville, Visit Brownsville, Digital 101.5, NBC 23, and CBS 4.

For more information regarding Kids Appreciation Day, visit www.gpz.org or contact the Zoo office at 

(956) 546-7187.