KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Knoxville Zoo is calling all party animals to the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America! Party for the Planet will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Knoxville Zoo. This Earth Day bash is one of more than 100 parties being thrown across the country at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos and aquariums.

The zoo’s Green Team will be collecting cell phones, printer cartridges, and other electronic devices for recycling. The Conservation and Science department will also be accepting school supplies, miscellaneous equipment for field studies, and monetary donations for local and national conservation programs. A collection site will be in the plaza and every in-kind and monetary donation of $5 or more qualifies guests for a free gift (while supplies last). A list of items that will be accepted for recycling and items requested for donation can be found by visiting the zoo’s web site www.knoxville-zoo.org.

In keeping with the “green” theme, environmentally conscious organizations will have representatives on-site with interactive displays and family activities. Artistic creations by area students for The Recycled Art Project, a challenge to create art out of reused and recyclable materials, and the Barrel Project, a competition in which teams design and paint recycling barrels with conservation and environmental themes will be on display.

Party-goers can also join in the antics of the Cardboard Cruise benefiting Knoxville Zoo at the lake at Chilhowee Park. The Cardboard Cruise challenges teams of four to design and build a cardboard boat that can navigate a 250-meter course on the lake at Chilhowee Park. Registration begins at noon, and racing begins at 2:00 p.m. Boats will be on display by 1:00 p.m. Special thanks to WBIR and Party Boys DJ Show for providing the music for the Cardboard Cruise.

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392A from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3:00 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.