See Zoobilation through the years at Indianapolis Zoo

Indianapolis Star

16-06-2025

Guests dress to impress at Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the Zoo's newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Grace Hollars/IndyStar
Guests dress to impress at Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the Zoo's newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guests party on the Washington St. Bridge aduring Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the ZooÕs newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guests walk the red carpet at Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the Zoo's newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guests walk the red carpet at Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the Zoo's newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guests strut their best animal themed attire while sampling dishes from restaurants around Indianapolis and visit with some of the animals. Photographed on Friday, June 14, 2024, during the 37th annual Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar
Guests dress to impress at Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the Zoo's newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
A lion watches the party during the Indianapolis Zoo's Zoobilation 2021 Bayou Bash, on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Nataile Hatchel from Fishers smiles while dancing with her friends on Friday, June 14, 2024, during the 37th annual Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar
Guests dress to impress during the Indianapolis Zoo's Zoobilation 2021 Bayou Bash, on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guests mix and mingle at Zoobilation 2019, 'Night in the Jungle', at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday, June 14, 2019. The annual fundraising event celebrates the Zoo's newest animals, sloths and snakes.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Jody Spangler DeFord (middle), in her custom made dress during with the tropical theme of this year's Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
A long entry line to get into the front gate during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Katelyn Ferringer, a macaw trainer, feeds a bit of food to one of the zoo's new birds, during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
A pork and mango dish that's one of the items being served during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Macaws fly overhead during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Tony Smith and his wife Andrea Smith, Indianapolis, pose during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
A parrot purse held by Jody Spangler DeFord during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017. Well over five thousand people attended the gala with a tropical theme for the year, to celebrate the zoo's new macaw exhibit.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
A row of macaws during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017. Well over five thousand people attended the gala with a tropical theme for the year, to celebrate the zoo's new macaw exhibit.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Colorful attire being worn during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017. Well over five thousand people attended the gala with a tropical theme for the year, to celebrate the zoo's new macaw exhibit.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Booze bottles and a line for drinks during Zoobilation, an annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017. Well over five thousand people attended the gala with a tropical theme for the year, to celebrate the zoo's new macaw exhibit.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
A bird flies in front of a photographer as Zoobilation attendees ride a roller coaster during the annual benefit for the zoo, Indianapolis, Friday, June 9, 2017. Well over five thousand people attended the gala with a tropical theme for the year, to celebrate the zoo's new macaw exhibit.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
A guest arrives for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Brekeyeva Ainur served hor d' oeuvres to guests during last year's Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Former Indianapolis Colt Gary Brackett poses for a photo as he arrived for last year's Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Guests arrive for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Lorelei Gentry waves at guests as they arrive for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Tiffany Oltean dressed as a zebra on stilts to welcome guests to Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Guests arrive for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
A guest arrives for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Guests arrive for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Lorelei Gentry waved at guests as they arrived for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Rob Goebel / The Star
A guest arrives for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Frank Espich / The Star
A guest arrives for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Frank Espich / The Star
A guest arrives for Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 14, 2013.
Frank Espich / The Star
Marcelino Quintana (left) and Zach Derringer with Ruth Christ Steak House have fun paying around with their stuffed pet orangutan at this year's Zoobilation. Ruth christ was one of 70 restaurants taking part in this year's event.
Frank Espich/The Star
Proper footwear was a must for this year's Zoobilation where the theme was Rock Your Orange.
Frank Espich/The Star
In this overall scene setter taken on the Washington Street bridge in White River State Park you can see the Zoobilation crowd with the city of Indy in the background.
Frank Espich/The Star
Jody DeFord from Indianapolis smiles for a photo Friday, June 14, 2024, during the 37th annual Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo. DeFord made her shoes, purse and hair piece.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar
Guests mix and mingle with dolphins during the Indianapolis Zoo's Zoobilation 2021 Bayou Bash, on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The crowd heads toward the main entrance to the 2014 Zoobilation party at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Frank Espich / The Star
A guest tries nitrogen cooled honey mustard popcorn from Revery during Zoobilation 2018: Swing Into Summer at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 8, 2018. The black-tie fundraiser now in its 32nd year, supports the care and feeding of the ZooÕs 1,200 animals and 46,000 plants, education programs and conservation initiatives.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Matt The Miller's Tavern serves up crab rangoon wantons during Zoobilation 2018: Swing Into Summer at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 8, 2018. The black-tie fundraiser now in its 32nd year, supports the care and feeding of the ZooÕs 1,200 animals and 46,000 plants, education programs and conservation initiatives.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
A guest tries nitrogen cooled honey mustard popcorn from Revery during Zoobilation 2018: Swing Into Summer at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 8, 2018. The black-tie fundraiser now in its 32nd year, supports the care and feeding of the ZooÕs 1,200 animals and 46,000 plants, education programs and conservation initiatives.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Nicki McNally, left, Stephanie Bales attend Zoobilation 2018: Swing Into Summer at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 8, 2018. The black-tie fundraiser now in its 32nd year, supports the care and feeding of the ZooÕs 1,200 animals and 46,000 plants, education programs and conservation initiatives.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
A guests shows off his style during Zoobilation 2018: Swing Into Summer at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 8, 2018. The black-tie fundraiser now in its 32nd year, supports the care and feeding of the ZooÕs 1,200 animals and 46,000 plants, education programs and conservation initiatives.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
A guest takes fashion to another level during Zoobilation 2018: Swing Into Summer at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 8, 2018. The black-tie fundraiser now in its 32nd year, supports the care and feeding of the ZooÕs 1,200 animals and 46,000 plants, education programs and conservation initiatives.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Best of 2013 ZOOBILATION :::: Nice touch with a British pith helmet to shade the smiles.
Frank Espich/The Star
Best of 2013 ZOOBILATION :::: Bold and cool was the call of the evening.
Frank Espich/The Star
John Willey takes a warm-weather approach to style at the Zoobilation Boomerang Bash at the Indianapolis Zoo Friday, June 12, 2015.
Michelle Pemberton/The Star
Attending the Zoobilation Boomerang Bash at the Indianapolis Zoo are (from left) Phil Cagle, Steve Cagle, Amy Cagle and AndI Cagle, Friday, June 12, 2015.
Michelle Pemberton/The Star
Indianapolis Zoo executive vice president Karen Burns attends Zoobilation Friday, June 12, 2015.
Michelle Pemberton/The Star
Mark Bromund attends the Indianapolis Zoo's Zoobilation Boomerang Bash, Friday June 12, 2015.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Jeff Eggert, left, and Mike Wilsom, right, attend the Indianapolis Zoo's Zoobilation Boomerang Bash, Friday June 12th, 2015.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
From left, Ron Frederick and Drew Parr bumped into one another wearing the same suit, at the 30th annual Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 10, 2016.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar
From left, Darci Valentine and Arie Regev reach out to pet the sharks during the 30th annual Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo, Friday, June 10, 2016.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar
Want to know what various tasting stations are serving at Zoobilation. Use the event's free app. You might find something like this Jamaican jerk tenderloin with pineapple papaya salsa and sweet potato puree on plantain slices. Second Helpings, a non-profit kitchen, featured the dish at the 2011 Zoobilation.
Jammy Straub/Indy Star