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An offer of free admission drew more than 40,000 people Saturday to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, nearly doubling its one-day attendance record.
The day at the zoo, followed by an Omaha Royals baseball game with about 14,500 fans, closed the “Wild About Omaha Weekend.” Mutual of Omaha offered the events, including free concerts, museum admissions and children's activities on Friday, to thank Omaha in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
In all, about 85,000 people took part in the weekend's special activities, said Jim Nolan, a Mutual spokesman.
An estimated 2,000 people were waiting at the zoo when the gates opened at 8 a.m.
By the 5 p.m. closing, 40,185 people had passed through the gates. The previous record was set in 1995, when about 22,000 came to the opening of the zoo's aquarium.
On Saturday, zoo parking lots filled before 9 a.m. Shuttles ran from the Southroads parking lot in Bellevue, while traffic snarled on 10th and 13th Streets.
Side streets were crammed with cars too. Residents sold parking spots for $10.
Nearby businesses got a boost from pedestrian traffic. Patrons filled outdoor benches and sipped cold drinks at Zesto's, 13th and D Streets.
Inside the zoo and wearing shorts, sunglasses, T-shirts and tank tops, parents pushed strollers and studied maps in search of their children's favorite animals.
Saturday marked Rhonda Thomas' first visit to the zoo in 20 years.
“A lot has changed,” said Thomas, 46, as her three daughters and two grandsons pointed out what they liked with a “Nana, look over there!”
“It's nice,” Thomas said. “We saw tigers and orangutans. We're going to see the giraffes. And I want to see the butterflies.”
On one walkway, Sara Plesuk, 32, a reptile and amphibian supervisor at the zoo, held a 4-year-old alligator.
Children gathered around her, waiting their turn to sneak up and pet it.
“You guys like alligators now?” Plesuk asked the group.
Giggling, most of the group nodded.
Perla Garcia, 11, of Fremont declined to pet the baby alligator but lit up at the idea of seeing sharks at the zoo aquarium.
Her father, Miguel Garcia, 35, said the special day brought many families who would not usually be able to afford a trip to the zoo.
“Bless them,” he said of the organizers. “This is a big chance for people who don't have the opportunity to come and spend time with family.”
Regular zoo admission is $11.50 for adults, $7.75 for children and $10 for seniors. On Saturday, the zoo's gift shops and concession stands offered a 25 percent discount.
Gary Relford, 44, of Omaha came to the zoo with a gaggle of 10 relatives. He said they were glad to spend time there and would not have been able to pay regular admission.
“It was fun for the kids,” he said.
World-Herald photographer James R. Burnett contributed to this report.
Contact the writer:
444-1022, katie.fretland@owh.com
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