On Oct 11, the Huntley Mini-Zoo Day event was hosted by A Zoo to You and Sew Hop’d Brewery in One Union Special Plaza, Huntley. A Zoo to You is a family owned business and has been operating for over 15 years. The event lasted from noon to 6 p.m., and masks were required. Many families attended this fun event. 

“The main purpose of this event is to raise money for the animals,” said an A Zoo to You employee.

A Zoo to You covers the Chicagoland area including all of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. They provide mobile petting zoos, baby animal zoos, pony wheels, nativity scenes, reindeer displays, and exotic animal shows all over Chicagoland. They are also available for birthday parties or festivals.

They provided the mobile petting zoo at the event, which included llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, bunnies, and a donkey. A six pony carousel ride and feed cups for the animals were also available for $2 each. The event also included an exotic animal exhibit that had a spotted genet, a blue tongue skink, a ball python, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, an albino corn snake, degus, sugar gliders, and a sulcata tortoise. 

Sew Hop’d Brewery was also open to provide craft beers and drinks for the adults. Food trucks were also available selling sweet treats, such as funnel cakes and ice cream. Admission into the event was free, but donations were available to help support all of the animals. 

The event provided hands-on and up close experience with the animals, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. 

“It was a fun event that brought the community together to raise money for an organization that deserves it,” said Kateleen Gellangarin, a visitor at the event. 

Not only did the families have a good time, it also supported a good cause for the welfare of the zoo animals.