The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is hosting its first “Fiona Fun-K and Ice Cream Sunday,” a fundraiser for the zoo, on Sunday, July 26.
“Whether you make it a 1K, 3K or 5K, the point is to have fun, get some exercise, see animals and eat ice cream,” said the zoo's VP of marketing and communications Chad Yelton.
The run also celebrates Graeter's 150th anniversary and includes samples of Graeter’s ice cream along its path around the zoo. There will be seven sample flavors, including Chunky Chunky Hippo, s’mores, Madagascar vanilla and “a special 150th birthday flavor,” according to the zoo’s website.
The walk has time slots at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., which are spaced out as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19. Admission price is $25 for those with a zoo membership and $30 for non-members. The price includes after-hours zoo admission, parking and a commemorative Graeter’s ice cream spoon.
Participants will also receive a Fiona shirt designed by Richard Cowdrey, a New York Times best-selling illustrator. While the event’s capacity is limited, participants have the option to sign up for a virtual walk in which they choose their own route and will have a Cowdrey shirt mailed to them.
Normally, the zoo holds an annual Cheetah Run, a timed 5K race fundraiser, but that event, originally scheduled for Aug. 23, was canceled due to the pandemic, said zoo communications director Michelle Curley.
For now, the zoo’s indoor buildings — including the reptile house and insect exhibit — will remain closed, but said that could change by July 26, Curley said.
The zoo expects the event to sell out. Tickets can be purchased on the zoo website, and the event can be followed at #FionaFunK.
