'80s Party at the Zoo Tonight

Eighties music is for the birds at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

It's also for all the other animals at the Schnecksville zoo, as well as an expected crowd of more than 1,000 human music fans of a certain age. Big hair is optional; lawn chairs are recommended.

The zoo will host an '80s Party at the Zoo from 6-10 p.m., Saturday, June 11. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. The event is open to those 21 and older; refreshments, including alcoholic beverages, will be sold at the site.

The evening will feature an '80s cover band and a retro '80s party theme, but the group that will perform had not been finalized as of press time, said Shirley Kline, the zoo's director of development and marketing.

There will be room to set up lawn chairs near the zoo pavilion where the band will perform, as well as plenty of space to dance, Kline said. Those who want a break from the concert as sunset gives way to starlight may wander the grounds and view the animals who call the zoo their home, she added.

The '80s rock-fest will be one of two concerts featured as part of this year's Signature Zoo Events. On Aug. 27, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, called Parrotbeach, will perform.

The resounding success of the first Parrotbeach concert last year, which drew a crowd of about 1,500, led zoo officials to renew the idea this year and add an additional concert, Kline said.

“This will be a regular thing from now on, we hope,” she said.

The zoo partnered with The Morning Call to make the '80s Party at the Zoo happen, Kline said.

Lehigh Valley Zoo, on Game Preserve Road within the 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve, is home to more than 250 animals representing 70 species, according to the zoo's website.

Ticket options:

Phone: (610) 799-4171

Online: https://secure.mcallcommunity.com/store/pages/zoo-tickets.php

At the gate the evening of the concert

Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the gate