ASHEBORO, N.C.-The North Carolina Zoo will hold its 15th annual Earth Day celebration, "Party for the Planet," throughout the park this weekend, April 18 & 19.

The zoo observes Earth Day--a family-fun celebration--as a way to highlight accomplishments in environmental stewardship, promote North Carolina's natural resources and empower the public with doable conservation strategies.

This year's zoo Earth Day activities will include:
The Kazoobie Earth-Day Show at the Africa Amphitheater, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.; Radio Disney (Saturday only), 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., with games and giveaways in the North America Plaza; and N.C. Zoo Biodiesel demonstrations near Sonora Desert, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

About 13 non-zoo exhibitors will include regional government & non-government agencies; the Asheboro High School Zoo School; other state agencies; and private, earth-friendly businesses.

Additionally, there will be a tree-seedling giveaway on Sunday at the North America exit, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; stickers & "tattoos" at Junction Plaza, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; and educational fun, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to bring old cell phones for recycling both Saturday and Sunday. Collection boxes are located inside the park at both the Africa and North America entrances.

All entertainment and activities are free with paid zoo admission. Park hours for both events are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information on the Earth Day event, call the N.C. Zoo at 800.488.0444 or check out the zoo's Web site at www.nczoo.org. All scheduled events are subject to change due to weather.

Earth Day is made possible, in part, through signature sponsor Pepsi and by ClearChannel Radio.

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Dee A. Freeman, Secretary; Beverly E. Perdue, Governor.

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