Party Animals Swim into Zoogala

On an intensely inclement night in September, more than 1,400 party animals arrived at the Calgary Zoo for the 17th annual Zoogala. The wind and rain wreaked havoc on the mostly outdoor event, but the hearty party people were undeterred.

This Party Crasher found himself clutching his rain-soaked notepad, with black ballpoint ink bleeding down his arm, but still schmoozing it up with the best of them.

As a precursor to the evening, McCarthy Tétrault LLP hosted a VIP cocktail and dinner reception in the Safari Lodge. Roaming the zoo brought a myriad of rewards, including behind-the-scenes tours, fine fare from Calgary’s best eateries, creative drink samplings and three stages of entertainment. The night’s theme was “Slither, Taste the Forbidden Fruit,” and performers embraced it with sexy serpentine moves.

With taste buds tantalized and libations imbibed, keeping out the cold, it was time to slither up to the dance floor. The gala raised more than $200,000 for the Zoo’s conservation initiatives.

Video: Gatsby If You Can

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