Zoopolis 500 - At The Indianapolis Zoo
*The event has already taken place on this date: Wed, 05/26/2021
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As you come in, meet 500 Festival Princesses and take a photo with a giant milk jug. Then, follow the tortoise and dairy fun facts back toward the Arena for the pre-race festivities, including a race-themed photo op and tortoise-themed activities. Plus, the American Dairy Association Indiana will be handing out free Dean’s TruMoo chocolate milk (while supplies last). Make sure to arrive early to meet a snake at the Snake Pit. Pre-race commentary will begin at 11am leading up to the parade lap at 11:30am.
It’s always exciting to cheer on the tortoises as they race up, down and around the straight track! But these natives of Madagascar don’t race for a trophy. Instead, they’re after the delicious fruits waiting at the finish line. As the radiated tortoises race down the course, you can catch a glimpse of their beautifully marked shells, which have star-patterned stripes radiating from the center (hence their name). Because of these markings, radiated tortoises are considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful tortoises.
After the race, a “pit crew” member will join American Dairy Association Indiana in the Winner’s Circle to drink a glass of milk on behalf of the winning tortoise. Our Deserts team will also be there to answer any tortoise-related questions and tell you all about the Zoo’s efforts to help these endangered animals.
Zoopolis 500 is one of the Zoo’s oldest and most popular events, and has been highlighted by Top Events USA’s website as one of the top events in Indianapolis! Come out and see what makes the Greatest Spectacle in Tortoise Racing such a beloved Zoo event.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.