Guests can meet Sergeant Tom Noga and Brookfield Zoo's K-9s during First Responders Day on August 28. (Supplied photo)

Guests can meet Sergeant Tom Noga and Brookfield Zoo's K-9s during First Responders Day on August 28. (Supplied photo)

Meet First Responders on Sunday at Brookfield Zoo

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Join Brookfield Zoo in celebrating and showing appreciation for firefighters, EMS workers, police officers, and other first responders on Sunday, August 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those entering the zoo’s south gate will pass under an American flag displayed between ladder trucks from Brookfield and Riverside’s fire departments.

At the zoo’s Roosevelt Fountain guests can meet with representatives from approximately 30 agencies from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, who will be on hand to showcase the vehicles and equipment they use to keep their communities safe. Participating towns include Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Countryside, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Hillside, Indian Head Park, LaGrange Park, McCook, North Riverside, Orland Hills, Riverside, Rolling Meadows, and Stickney. Also participating in the event are representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, Illinois State Police, and Secretary of State Police.

Zoo goers can take photos with first responders as well as meet K-9 and therapy dogs from Cook County and Brookfield Zoo’s own K9 police dogs, Charlie and Kirby. Youngsters will receive special giveaways (while supplies last) to remember their day.

After visiting with the first responders, guests can spend the day walking around the zoo to see their favorite animals, including Banana, a 3-year-old Pygmy hippo; Brutus and Titus, African lion brothers, the giraffe herd, and the bottlenose dolphins.

Admission to Brookfield Zoo is $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for children 3-11, and $19.95 for seniors over 65. Park is $15. Brookfield Zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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