Michell and Jim Clayton were at the table beside us.
Zoofari, the signature annual fundraiser for Zoo Knoxville, always has a featured animal to set its theme. This year, the spectacular party featured the zoo’s four beloved — but endangered — red pandas. Zoo Knoxville is the leading zoo globally for the breeding of this adorable species. More than 110 red panda cubs have been born at our zoo over the past 15 years. This is important because fewer than 10,000 remain in the wild.
Guests also got to meet a cute porcupine, a stunning blue macaw, some adolescent ostriches that just arrived, some friendly goats, a couple of unusual lizards, and Einstein, the talking parrot.
Because red pandas’ natural habitat is from northern Myanmar (Burma) to the west Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces of China and some of India, Nepal, and Tibet, the cuisine and decor at this year’s Zoofari featured an Asian flair that added an exotic appeal to the evening.
As always, Zoofari was a blast and we appreciate new Zoo Knoxville President and CEO Bill Street and his sweet wife Candace for inviting us to sit with them on this very special evening. Now, on to the party!
Arriving guests were greeted with glasses of champagne to get the evening off to a festive start!
Great mingling time ensued.
Alan Carmichael, right, chatting with Sandy and David Martin. Sandy is on the Zoo Knoxville board of directors.
Pedzi, the porcupine, is very friendly.
She loved it when her handler scratched her belly!
Bill and Candace Street. They arrived in Knoxville last August. They came from Indianapolis, where he was executive director of the Indianapolis Zoo’s Center for Species Survival. He’s had a number of high-ranking animal-related positions across the country. Candace is a marketing and events professional. Love his red panda shirt! It couldn’t have been more perfect!
This is Lincoln, one of Zoo Knoxville’s four red pandas.
Passed appetizers were delish! Gourmet’s Market was the caterer and did an excellent job.
Isn’t this blue macaw incredible?
I just couldn’t warm up to the leopard gecko, although I did think it was interesting that, if they are being pursued by a predator, they can shed their tail and get away! The tail grows back later.
A skink. Not my type, either.
Now, that’s much more like it!
The young ostriches would be named later in the evening by winners at an auction. Cute.
Einstein, the zoo’s African grey parrot, is very chatty!
Normally, I remark about the volume level at events when they are held inside. But, impressively, the volume was just as loud at this outdoors gathering! The Pour Guys did a great job with bar service throughout the night.
So, how do you move a crowd from one area of the 52-acre property to another part where a huge dinner tent is waiting? You have a parade led by this guy! (I told you there was an Asian theme!)
And this guy!
And drums!
We paraded past some great topiary.
And ended up at the dinner location. Everyone who donated to the cause, received a cute stuffed red panda.
The centerpieces were very striking.
Whitfield and Brittany Bailey. He’s on the Zoo Knoxville board; she was co-chair of the Zoofari Committee.
Steven Brewington and Nell Brewington Kedrow. She was the other Zoofari Committee co-chair. Great job, ladies!
We were happy to be seated at the table with Knox County Commissioner Damon Rawls, in whose district the zoo is located, and his wife, Carmanelette. He’s also on the zoo’s board of directors.
The city of Knoxville’s R.J. Justice was there, too, with Todd Miller. She’s a member of the Zoo Knoxville board.
Tim and Amy Willilams. He’s an honorary member of the Zoo board.
WBIR colleagues Abby Ham, left, and Heather Waliga. Heather was on the Zoofari Committee.
From left, Tami and Bruce Hartmann, Ben and Ginger Cunningham.
Tracy and Dwight Van de Vate, Knox County’s chief operating officer.
Mac and Allison Comer with their new friends.
Lauren Miller and Scott Bird of MoxCar Marketing + Communications.
The place was packed!
Louise and Winston Frazier.
From left, Lindsey and Jason Gallaher, Krissy and Jeffrey DeAlejandro, and Jann Owens.
Jeannette and Sam Brewington.
Kevin and Erin Kragenbrink.
Elizabeth and Chad Schollaert.
Carol and John Sheridan.
Beth and Malcolm Foster.
Anthony Wilson, left, and Tyler Janow.
Alison and former Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.
I thought this was extremely clever. Soba noodles with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, green onions, tomatoes, and soy ginger dressing were served in little Chinese take-out boxes with chopsticks.
Entree was orange marinated beef tenderloin with Kung Pao shrimp, saffron basmati rice, and vegetable stir-fry with sesame seeds.
Candace Street put her very cool purse with red pandas on it in the center of the table! It went great with the centerpiece!
My purse was made out of a cigar box. You can’t just take it anywhere, but it seemed right here!
Desserts were mango cheesecake with blueberry sauce and an almond cookie or flourless chocolate torta with strawberry cream. Yum!
Program time! Emcee Dino Cartwright did a great job of keeping things moving.
Auctioneer David Alley in action.
After party in the welcome tent!!
Featuring “Sterl the Pearl!”
Fun, fun, time!
It was total panda-monium!
Alan: You are correct, sir!
Thank you so much for coming to Candace and my first Zoofari,
Bill: We had a blast! Welcome, welcome! Feel so fortunate to have you and Candace here!
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