The wild things aren't the only ones starting up a rumpus at the Alexandria Zoo. Les Fest promises a rockin' evening of live music and good eatin' that is sure to have partygoers roaring and stomping with the best of them.
“It's our tenth year of celebrating the life and legacy of Les, and it's going strong,” says current zoo director Lee Ann Whitt, who notes the community's appreciation of the event and the enthusiasm from both attendees and staff.
Leslie “Les” Whitt was the award-winning director of the Alexandria Zoo for thirty-four years until his death in 2008. His dynamic leadership of the zoo and devotion to conservation efforts earned the respect and admiration of Alexandria citizens and world-renowned zoological experts alike, and his impact on the community was tremendous.
Whitt dedicated a good part of his life to shaping his beloved zoo towards what it is today, but anyone that knew him could tell you that music had a great hold on his heart as well. It's only appropriate then that Les Fest patrons enjoy a rollicking good time courtesy of bands such as Grammy-nominated Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars and Radio Zydeco out of Lafayette. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie—it's what Les would have wanted!
Better yet, all the fun is for a great cause. A portion of the proceeds from Les Fest go towards the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group, which works hard to make sure funds get out into the field and can make an impact, says Lee Ann Whitt. Each year's Les Fest directs its fundraising towards a specific species. This year's lucky beneficiary? The giant anteater! No word yet on whether gourmet ants will be on the menu in its honor, but you can count on delicious (human) food for sale from local restaurants and caterers to fuel all that dancing.
Les Fest will be held Thursday, October 11 at the Alexandria Zoo, with gates open at 6:30 pm. Stay tuned to thealexandriazoo.com/lesfest for tickets and more information.
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