Pellissippi State Balloon Fest '08

The weekend of September 26th & 27th proved to be very special despite the cloudy skies. I was honored to be part of the Pellissippi State Balloon Fest! I got to go on Friday & Saturday afternoon & perform as part of the children programs at the event. It was so great to see how many people came to see me... I almost couldn't believe it. There were people waiting an hour before I was even supposed to go on just to make sure they had a good spot in the audience. The first night, I came with my friend Lucas, the Screech Owl. Everybody thought he was so cute, & they all loved the story of how he came to live at the Knoxville Zoo. As for Saturday, I got the pleasure of traveling with Cyrano, a Green Aracari. He looks a lot like a miniature Toucan. We had a really fun "catching" contest with this little girl named Cheyenne. She proved to be a tough competitor for little Cyrano. I hope they invite us back next year. It's always so fun interacting with all the kids & their families. Not to mention the beautiful hot-air balloons... very cool!

My first school show of the year...

So, I just went on my first school show of the year! My friends & I packed up & headed to Maryville Intermediate on Monday, September 29th. The kids were so great, & they just loved all my friends... Inga, a Red-Tailed Hawk, flew inches from their heads; & Grettle, a Porcupine, got to show off her climbing abilities. But I think the coolest thing about the trip was when Ollie, the Barred Owl, actually started to "hoot" during the program! It's so rare to hear an owl call, & I think it's so neat that the kids got that kind of experience. This school show season is going to be one of the best, I think.

SHOWS COME TO AN END

Well, it has been another fun & successful season at the Knoxville Zoo Bird Show! I'm sorry to say it, but we are almost to that time of year yet again... the last official day of shows at the zoo will be Sunday, October 12th. That's right, only two weekends left to come & enjoy all the excitement of a free-flighted bird show! I know that I am sad to see it come to a close, but am looking forward to visiting all different kinds of schools this fall & winter. So, please come visit me one last time at the Knoxville Zoo, & I will be hoping to hear (& see) a lot of my fans over the winter. See you all very soon...

Einstein