September 24, 2018: The St. Augustine Alligator Farm always provides guests with an exciting visit, with resident reptiles and exotic animal species roaming the grounds. For those who time it right, there's also the chance to view feedings. All in all, it's a pretty wild time, with educational overtones. The Alligator Farm adds a new level of animal behavior, with its first "Croctoberfest," on Friday evening, September 28, 6-9pm. This "brew-at-the-zoo" event brings beer, food, and spirits together for the season of Oktoberfest and Fall with a catchy name and some crafty inhabitants.
The concept began over a year ago during a staff meeting, says Trevor Mia, of the Zoo Education Department, with "Croctoberfest" being a logical name for this time of year. "We wanted to host a social event where the proceeds go towards a great use and cause." Croctoberfest is a partnership with Riverbanks Zoo of Columbia, South Carolina, and the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group to help support the Malayan Gharial conservation (if you don't know what that is, you can find out at Croctoberfest). Part of the proceeds are also designed to jump start youth engagement in conservation programs in St Augustine. Participating conservation organizations include: IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group, Riverbanks Zoo, Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Audubon Society, The Rattlesnake Conservancy, GTM Research Reserve, Lubee Bat Conservancy, and Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience.
"At the end of the night, we hope that guests will have an appreciation for what their local conservation organizations are doing in their own backyard," Trevor adds.