Zoo Miami’s FEAST WITH THE BEASTS
The virtual event featured Gloria Estefan, Shaquille O’Neal, KC and the Sunshine Band, Dan LeBatard, Dave Barry and Nestor Torres.
Zoo Miami Foundation and Zoo Miami hosted the first virtual Feast with the Beasts on August 28, 2020 and raised more than $218,000 to support wildlife education and conservation programs at Zoo Miami. Like so many other institutions, the Zoo and foundation faced tremendous challenges in trying to make up for the lost revenue due to the forced pandemic closure for 140 days. Thankfully, Zoo Miami opened its doors again to visitors on September 15th.
Feast with the Beasts returned in its 24th year virtually on Zoo Miami’s YouTube channel with its host as the one and only Ron Magill. Guests attended this unique zoo virtual experience FOR FREE with wild animal encounters and celebrity guest appearances by music legend and Miami royalty Gloria Estefan, NBA legend and the leader of the Miami Heat’s first NBA Championship, Shaquille O’Neal, musical icon KC from KC and the Sunshine Band, ESPN television and radio host, Dan LeBatard and best-selling author and syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry. In addition, guests enjoyed a special musical performance by Latin Grammy Award Winning artist, Nestor Torres.
Viewers also were able to enjoy a host of interactive rooms that included chef demonstrations, mixology sessions by Bacardi, DJs, entertainment, and much more! The digital and mobile silent auction sold out of their wide variety of items including sports memorabilia, libations, unique zoo experiences and amazing wildlife photography by Ron Magill.
Feast with the Beasts owes its success to its many generous sponsors. Their support has made it possible to raise millions of dollars over the years to help support the care and enrichment of thousands of animals as well as the development and implementation of innovative education programs that instill a passion for wildlife and its conservation for future generations.
2020 Presenting Sponsor
Assurant
2020 Platinum sponsors
First Horizon Foundation; FPL; and Milton Family United Property Management.
Gold sponsors
Greenberg Traurig; L&R Structural Corp.; and Wells Fargo. Silver sponsors included: Bacardi; Bill & Jill Moore; CapTrust; Carnival Foundation; ELM Arch; The Everglades Trust; Fitzgerald & Isaacson, LLP; The Forte Family; MC Flooring Corp.; Shutts & Bowen; and TruckMax; Bronze sponsors included: AECOM Technical Services; Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney; Commissioner Joe A. Martinez District 11; Diane Dickut; The Everglades Foundation; Hancock Askew & Co., LLP; Jose & Joanna Romano, Josie Romano Brown & Dr. Mark Brown; Michael Keister & Susan Lewis; Morris & Reynolds; PAAST; Professional Bank; Raoul Thomas; Synovus Bank; and Verdeja, De Armas & Trujillo, LLP.
Official Liquor Sponsor
Bacardi
In-kind sponsors
Clear Channel Outdoor, Community Newspapers, Pepsi, and Publix
Interested in supporting the zoo? Donations can be made here.
