Blank Park Zoo was a perfect location for our annual meeting! The view overlooking the rain forest wowed our attendees. We incorporated zoo activities into our day and these were a highlight of the meeting. Zoo staff were top-notch and the caterers worked with us to keep within our budget.
Ann Vogelbacher
Executive Director, Central Iowa Tourism Region
Our goal is to make your event at the Blank Park Zoo an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. The zoo offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for all types of events. From a grand gala for up to 450 guests to business meetings and conferences for smaller groups and breakout sessions for 50-150 guests. The Blank Park Zoo has it all.
Our goal is to make your event at the Blank Park Zoo an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. The zoo offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for all types of events. From a grand gala for up to 450 guests to business meetings and conferences for smaller groups and breakout sessions for 50-150 guests. The Blank Park Zoo has it all.We have designed our packages for you to create your event in your way with a variety of ala carte options. Including the ability to add animal viewing/education, carousel and train rides, and other customizations as part of your package should you wish. The Zoo also offers options for private after-hours rentals where you and your guests have exclusivity to our exhibits.
We encourage you to use your imagination and consult with our event supervisors to design an event that is uniquely yours.
Members receive 10% off rental fees.
Click here to see list of spaces around the zoo available for your event! (LINK TO RENTAL SPACE PAGE)
For more information on hosting an event at Blank Park Zoo, please call 515-974-2635 or email sales@blankparkzoo.org. Complete the Rental Information Form below and an Event Coordinator be in touch shortly to provide you with additional details.
Request more information about hosting an event at the zoo! (LINK TO REQUEST FORM)
Holmes Foster Event Center
Our recently constructed Holmes Foster Events Center is our largest indoor space and is an ideal venue for your special event, company outing, or gala. It can accommodate up to 450 guests (Banquet rounds) or 600 cocktail style. Our event center is a large blank canvas space that guests can easily transform to fit the style of your event. The Holmes Foster Event Center includes everything you need including free parking, tables/chairs, and the latest in audio/visual equipment. Additionally, it has an outdoor patio that is ideal for cocktail hour or casual affairs.
Discovery Center
This indoor space overlooks the Discovery Center’s free-roaming bird aviary and botanical gardens. It can be utilized for a variety of meeting types. The Discovery Center is made up of smaller breakout rooms Tamarin, Palm and Waterfall. It is perfect for smaller meetings and gatherings plus larger conferences and banquets. It accommodates up to 200 theater style or 120 banquet style. Indoor animal exhibits within the Discovery Center can be accessed all year long.
Large Pavilion
This covered outdoor space is a beautiful location conveniently situated near the Zoo’s entrance and the Bald Eagle exhibit. It is a perfect location for a variety of event types. The large pavilion seats 200-300 guests theater style or up to 150 banquet style.
African Pavilion
Overlooking Iowa’s version of the African savanna’s iconic animals, this outdoor covered pavilion offers sweeping views of the Jamaa Kwa Africa exhibits of giraffe and addax. The Africa Pavilion seats up to 60 guests theater or 40 at round tables. This is an amazing area for cocktail hours or smaller more intimate events, including baby showers and private dinners.
Full Zoo Rental
Rent the zoo after hours exclusively for your guests.
Rental timeslots for events are typically four hours for half day or eight hours for an all-day rental. If your event requires additional hours or time frame adjustments, please contact us at 515-974-2533
Groups of all sizes are invited to enjoy Iowa’s Wildest Adventure! We offer rental spaces for intimate meetings, as well as opportunities for large company outings.
It's never too early to plan your event as dates fill up quickly. All rentals are on a first come, first serve basis. A 50% deposit and signed contract is required to secure a date.
We have two exclusive caterers from which to choose: Baratta’s and Army Post Hy-Vee. We encourage you to contact them regarding your specific menu ideas. Baratta’s (Michelle Dodds) 515-710-0516 / HyVee (James McCaffrey) 515-285-6394
Discounted admission to the Zoo is included for any guests when a meeting space is rented. For evening events, individual exhibits as well as the whole Zoo are available to rent, exclusively for your group. There is no additional admission costs for evening events.
Blank Park Zoo is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Blank Park Zoo does offer various audio visual equipment for our guests to use. Projector and screen, microphone and speakers are available in most spaces. Additional costs may occur if equipment rental is needed.
Yes, we encourage you to add linens, LED candles, centerpieces, florals, etc. in our indoor spaces to personalize your event. We do have restrictions on fog machines, glitter, confetti, as well as adhering décor to walls and doorways. Contact us for specific décor questions.
Yes, all rentals include setup/tear down of tables and chairs. Table layout and chair quantity is due 10 days in advance of your event date. Black or white linens are included when using Baratta’s as your caterer.
Yes, you may have a band or music at your event. In outdoor areas that have animal exhibits, music levels cannot exceed 90 decibels nor can strobe, laser, or cop lights be allowed for animal safety. These restrictions do not apply for indoor areas (Holmes Event Center or Discovery Center).
Baratta’s Catering is the licensed entity for all alcohol served at the zoo. They have several packages available. Contact Michelle Dodds at 515-710-0516.
Yes, the facilities are available during the times listed in the contract for event setup and cleanup of the event as well as vendor load in/out. If the clean-up/load out lasts longer than the stated time a fee of $75 per hour will apply.
The Zoo prohibits smoking, vaping, chewing, or any consumption of tobacco products and all illegal drugs on Zoo grounds in accordance with state law and for the health and safety of our animals.
If your event is due to take place outside, we offer our indoor facilities for 25% of the specified rental rate in case of an unwanted weather emergency. Please note, this offer is contingent on space availability.
No, zoo admission is not included. However, guests receive reduced admission to the zoo of $10/person (50% off) and entrance to all exhibits. Guests can pay on their own fee or we can arrange for pre-paid wristband admission.
Zoo animal exhibits packages are available for an additional charge. See add-on elements on page X. All animals go in 30 minutes before sunset. They are available for up to 3 hours from April to October. Please contact the Private Events Supervisor for further information.
Yes, indoor viewing of rhino, giraffe, tortoises, penguins, and the Discovery Center exhibits are available in the winter months (November thru March) when the remainder of the zoo’s animal enclosures are not available due to weather conditions.
Yes, we require an on-site security guard at all after hours events. The security charge is $35 per hour/per guard. One security guard will be required for each 250 guests. Payment to be made 15 days in advance of event.
Should you cancel the event more than 6 months prior to the scheduled event date, a refund of 50% of the paid rental will be given. Should you cancel the event less than six months prior to the scheduled event, no rental refund can be given.
Yes. Additional hours are available upon request and availability. The rate is $150 per hour and must be scheduled 15 days in advance of the event.
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