Essex County Events: ‘Zoo-Vies’ At Turtle Back, Butterfly Safari – West Orange, NJ Patch
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There are two more reasons to get out of the house in Essex County this summer, officials recently announced.
The county is bringing back its popular “Zoo-vies” film screening series, which will take place on Wednesday evenings during July and August at the parking deck at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.
The county will also be bringing back its “Butterfly Tent Safari” at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland. It will run from Saturday, July 17 to Saturday, July 31.
More information about both programs follows below, via Essex County.
ZOO-VIES, FAMILY NIGHTS
On Wednesdays and Thursdays during the months of July and August, Turtle Back Zoo will have “Family Nights” with extended evening hours to 8:30 p.m., with the last admission to the zoo at 8 p.m.
In addition, on Wednesday evenings during July and August, “Zoo-vies,” featuring animal-related movies, will be shown on the top floor of the Turtle Back Zoo parking deck.
“It’s a great way to spend a summer night and experience Turtle Back in a completely different way,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.
Family Nights will be held on Wednesdays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and August 4, 11, 18 and 25 and Thursdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29 and August 5, 12, 19 and 26. Zoo hours will be extended to 8:30 p.m. with the last admission being at 8 p.m.
Families coming to Zoo-vies should bring their own chair or blanket on which to sit. Access to the top floor of the parking deck will begin at 7:30 p.m. Films will begin at dusk. Admission to the movies is free (This does not include admission to Turtle Back Zoo). Movies will be cancelled in the event of rain. The schedule for Zoo-vies is as follows:
- Wednesday, July 7 – Disney’s Earth
- Wednesday, July 14 – The Land Before Time: The Original Movie
- Wednesday, July 21 – Trolls World Tour
- Wednesday, July 28 – Dolittle
- Wednesday, August 4 – Tom & Jerry: The Movie
- Wednesday, August 11 – The Croods: A New Age
Turtle Back Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission is $14 for children and senior citizens, $17 for adults and free for children under 2 years. For additional information, call 973-731-5800 or visit www.essexcountynj.org/turtlebackzoo.
BUTTERFLY SAFARI
The public is invited to experience the “Butterfly Tent Safari” at the Essex County Environmental Center.
The Butterfly Tent Safari is an interactive display where visitors can observe hundreds of butterflies while walking through a tent. The usual program has been modified to promote social distancing, appointments are required, and visitors must wear face coverings.
- Dates – Saturday, July 17 to Saturday, July 31, 2021
- Hours – Mondays to Fridays from 12 Noon to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Closed on Sundays
- Place – Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland
Admission to the Butterfly Tent is $8 per person and free for children 1 year and younger. Appointments are required; walk-ins will not be accommodated.
In addition to the public viewing times, the Environmental Center is offering butterfly-themed family programs that include access to the butterfly tent on Saturdays, July 17th, 24th and 31st. Pre-registration is required; walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Participation in these programs also includes time in the butterfly tent. The schedule is as follows:
- Saturday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m.: Appropriate for children ages 3 to 5 years. “The Very Hungry Monarch Caterpillar” will take participants on a butterfly parade around the trails and learn about a day in the life of a monarch butterfly. Cost is $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $10 per child and $12 per adult.
- Saturday, July 24 at 10:30 a.m.: Appropriate for children ages 5 and older. “Buzz into Action with Insect Education” is a family fun and hands on presentation about bugs and butterflies. Cost is $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $10 per child and $12 per adult.
- Saturday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m.: Appropriate for adults and children ages 8 years and older. “Butterfly Gardening” is a hands-on workshop in which participants will learn about native host and nectar plants and how they support New Jersey butterflies. Cost is $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $10 per child and $12 per adult.
For information about the Butterfly Tent Safari, call the Essex County Environmental Center at 973-228-8776.
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