Zoofari is Zoo Knoxville‘s largest and most important fundraiser every year. And this year was no exception. I loved the theme last year — “Pandamonium!” It featured the zoo’s four beloved — and adorable — red pandas! This year, not so much! Because the theme was “Vim and Venom” — in other words, snakes!
Steve and Mary Ellen Brewington admire one of the evening’s mascots! (I kept my distance!)
Needless to say, I didn’t spend much time with the snakes, except to snap a few photos for this blog post. But the party itself was fantastic. The clearly sold-out event tent was packed. And what struck me the most was the number of younger people there. I go to a lot of soirees supporting all kinds of non-profit organizations in our community. And this one, by far, had the largest number of young people. I think that’s a very good sign.
Candace and Bill Street. He’s president and CEO of Zoo Knoxville. (You will see a lot of snake skin prints in this post!)
Believe it or not, but this is NOT a snake. It’s a legless lizard, according to Rebecca Zielger, who was holding it!
This IS a snake. It’s being held by Kevin Hunt, a herpetologist and keeper.
Mac and Allison Comer. Yikes on her outfit!
Even the tables were set up to look “snakey!” Very clever.
And the cocktails.
Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel with Knoxville City Council member Debbie Helsley, left, and former member Lauren Rider.
Terry Strickland and Terrence Carter.
Nick and Erin Gill.
They were everywhere!
I’m not sitting in that chair!
Cocktail hour was loud!
Ross and Lindsay Cates.
Jeanette and Sam Brewington.
Drs. Quyn and Ayaz Rahman.
Mike and Audrey Murray.
Nell Kedrow, left, and Liz Harrop. They were co-chairs of Zoofari 2026.
Todd and Renee Kelly.
Some of our downtown friends, from left, Anthony Wilson, Kim and Jim Hays, Tyler Janow.
From left, David Amburn, State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, Tony Vecchiio (the former head of the Jacksonville Zoo), and Candace Street.
Bob, Amy and Matthew Cross, at right.
Jessica and Andy Turner, left, with Whitfield and Brittany Bailey.
The bar. Ewww.
Mike Strickland, left, and Alan Carmichael.
Jim and Michell Clayton.
Maddie, left, and Tiffany Gardner.
From left, Anthony Wilson, Nikki Elliottt, Candace Street, and Tyler Janow.
And then, to calm everyone down and get them to take their seats, the entertainment started.
Yep. A fire eater!
More firey entertainment.
And an exotic dancer. (Not THAT kind of exotic dancer! Get your mind out of the gutter!)
Paul David and Nell Kedrow.
Olive and Jamie Schneider.
Jeffrey and Krissy DeAlejandro.
Karl Traeger, left, is the new vice president of marketing at Zoo Knoxville. He’s with Cameron Perisutti.
Joe, Lisa, and Ed Shouse, right, who served in public office 34 years. He was on Knoxville City Council for 20 years before being elected to Knox County Commission and then Knox County Trustee.
Allie and Steven Brewington.
Abby Ham and Travis May.
Following dinner, Mike Witcher, left, and Dino Cartwright took the stage to conduct a lively auction.
Tim Williams tried to stop his wife, Amy, from raising a bid on the opportunity to name a new baby lion at the zoo.
But every time he turned his head, she did it anyway! (You go, girl!)
She didn’t win it and everything seems to have turned out OK. Ha.
Following the auction, we went to the after party in another tent. The band was Smooth Sailor. Yacht rock.
For anyone still hungry, Krystal hamburgers were available. Alan dug in!
Yep. Doesn’t he look happy?
Others hit the dance floor.
It was a fun, fun night!
