FreeState will be holding the first Crew at the Zoo event on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. The event is planned to celebrate FreeState members and show appreciation that will provide FreeState members a day of fun at the Zoo.
This event will also be open to the public, but FreeState members will get into the zoo free of charge and will be provided lunch at the Security Benefit Pavilion inside the zoo. Area community organizations will also be on hand to provide information about a variety of topics from health, wellness, volunteering, and energy efficiency.
“This event was something we put together in an effort to reach more members,” said Sarah Farlee, PR and Marketing Director. “We had successful appreciation events in the past with our Health and Energy Fairs, but when 2020 canceled those events it seemed like an opportunity was there to transition into something different.”
“While we may not be holding our traditional fairs, we did want to incorporate elements of those events into our new event,” Farlee added. “We’ll have several area folks that will have booths set up throughout the zoo, and we’ll have our own bucket trucks and energy efficiency displays here as well.”
Members have the power to engage with their electric cooperative and are encouraged to bring their families out to the event. Members who attend the event will be automatically entered to win prizes that will be drawn for at the end of the day on Facebook Live.
“We hope to see our members. We have missed that in-person engagement we have had in the past after all of our in-person events were canceled due to COVID-19,” said Farlee. “So, we’re excited to have the opportunity to get out, meet our members, promote local businesses and the cooperative difference, and just enjoy the day with families at the zoo.”
The event will open at 9 a.m. and the final entry for FreeState members will be 4:30 p.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wristbands will be required to enter the zoo and the pavilion for lunch. A family gift will be given to each FreeState member family who attends. Members who attend are also automatically entered into drawings for prizes at the end of the day.