Column: The Crowd: Zoofari fundraiser nets funds for Santa Ana Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Well, not exactly.

The Santa Ana Zoo celebrated its silver anniversary Zoofari fundraiser recently, attracting more than 300 dedicated guests for a black-tie dinner under the stars with all the creatures.

There were no lions, tigers or bears but quite a collection of monkeys, snakes, armadillos and even a newborn baby lemur yet to be named because its sex has not been identified.

But all in the crowd had a glimpse of the proud baby lemur’s parents Mary Lou and Tamazula.

The Zoofari guests arrived at dusk Aug. 27, greeted by an armadillo, a spectacled owl and a French rooster accompanied by their handlers.

The crowd was then escorted on a private guided tour of the new Giant River Otters habitat.

From there, each had a peek at the construction of the Fifty Monkeys Ferris Wheel and an up-close-and-personal visit with the 50 monkeys themselves, which are a mainstay of the Santa Ana Zoo.

The crowd was welcomed by Cathi Decker, hostess of the 2017 Zoofari and executive director of the organization supporting the zoo known as FOSAZ (Friends of Santa Ana Zoo).

“The support of this amazing crowd means so much because it raises the funds needed for all the special projects and improvements going on at the zoo,” Decker said.

By the end of the evening, a net amount close to $100,000 was raised, including almost $52,000 from the massive silent and live auction with funds earmarked for the continuing construction and improvements at the Giant River Otter exhibit.

An evening at Zoofari would not be complete without a ride on the old train that meanders throughout the property.

The crowd delighted in hopping on the train for rides through the park, which is one of the oldest single-track trains in the region. Its origin dates back more than 50 years to the former Santa’s Village in the local mountains.

Departing the train, the crowd was seated for dinner on zoo grounds enjoying a multi-course gourmet dining experience catered by Parties by Panache.

The signature drink of the night was a specialty cocktail that Panache labeled as the “Satin Sparkle,” which was a chilled glass of Champagne rimmed with sparkling silver sugar.

Dinner service began with a pear and Roquefort salad, followed by an entree of garlic butter topped filet mignon accompanied by a stuffed cheese baked potato and roasted asparagus drizzled with lemon zest.

Enjoying the dinner feast was Kent Yamaguchi, retiring zoo director, who joined board of directors David Exline, John Harper and Armando Apmenla.

Also in the crowd were Roseanne Bye, Curtis and Cathy Farrell, Howard Hall, Rip Ribble and Dee Thomas.

Enjoying the decadent dessert of flourless chocolate cake with fresh berries, presented with chocolate monkey animal cookies, were: VIP zoo donors, including Tom and Debbie Newmeyer, Del and Carole Stagg, Kathleen Edman, Janet Ford, David Dobs, Devon and Jolene Dougherty, Lori and Bob Babcock, Judy Flour-Runels, Joyce and Ron Glazier and Michele Levison.

Two O.C. citizens were honored this year by Zoofari.

Peggy Baldwin-Butler of Tudor House Entertainment and James Howe of Bert L. Howe and Associates were lauded for their longtime support and underwriting efforts for Zoofari and for the Santa Ana Zoo.

In addition, Howe is a principal underwriter for the coming attraction Fifty Monkeys Ferris Wheel set to be completed and opened by the end of the year.

If dinner, auction and visitation with the animals was not enough, guests danced into the darkness of night to the music of Groove Factory, had animal theme temporary tattoos placed on their body while bidding on the unbelievable array of items on the live auction.

Special kudos go out to Chuck Street — the longtime airborne traffic commander for KIIS-FM Radio — who joined Rip Ripple, current FOSAZ board member, serving as dual master of ceremonies for the event.

Well-known auctioneer Glen Fladeboe returned as the auctioneer for another season for the zoo.

Also supporting the 25th anniversary celebration was attorney Hall Huguenin, Tim and Lin McCool, John and Sharon Biard, Shari Ciko, Maureen Cronin, Suzi Furjanic and Peter and Judy Larios.

Established in 1952, the Santa Ana Zoo turned 65 this year and is home to some 150 creatures.

To learn more about the zoo, visit santaanazoo.org.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.