MONROE - The animals in the "Zoo on the Square" are getting ready to say good-bye after a successful summer, Monroe Main Street officials say.
The 27 large wood animals that have made their home on the Square this summer, including a giraffe, zebra, hippo, gorilla, snake, monkeys, turtles, mountain goat, and even an octopus, were all carved by Zoli Akacsos of Monroe. They will make their last weekend appearance during the Zoo's "Back to the Wild" event held during the Chili Cook-Off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.
Sponsored by the Monroe Youth Hockey Association and Monroe Main Street, the Chili Cook Off will consist of chili teams producing their product from scratch, starting at 7 a.m. Beginning at 1 p.m., blind judging will determine the best chili of the day. Samples will be available for the public.
There will also be live music by The Jimmys, the Farmer's Market and non-profit vendor booths.
The animals will remain up through a visit from state Main Street officials on Wednesday, Oct. 5, said Kareesa Wilson, Main Street Monroe Promotions co-chair. They will come down shortly afterwards.
The Zoo was a hit, she said.
"They have exceeded our expectations. We were thinking and hoping that they would bring families downtown, but we were overwhelmed by the response," she said.
Wilson said people have enjoyed touching the wood carvings and children have climbed all over them - just the response Main Street organizers wanted.
"We wanted it to be interactive," Wilson said.
Five of the 27 animals are still in need of sponsorship: the pandas, the shark in front of First National Bank and Trust, the snake hanging from the courthouse, the pelican in front of Wisconsin Community Bank and the peacock.
Once an individual or business sponsors an animal, it belongs to them, Wilson said. Some have opted to donate the animal to a park or public area.
Those who attend the "Back to the Wild" event can catch a glimpse of what Monroe Main Street has in store for the Square next summer, Wilson added.
Monroe Main Street will have a booth in the inner ring of the southside of the Square. The first 50 children to arrive at the booth will receive a free zoo goodie bag, Wilson said.
The event will also include activities such as face painting, a woodcarving demonstration by Akacsos, a s'mores booth, a "Make a Monster" craft booth by the Monroe Theatre Guild, and a pie-eating contest. A drawing will be held to give away three carvings Akacsos will do during the event.
For more information on sponsoring the animals or to make a donation, contact Wilson at (608) 329-5899 or Main Street Monroe Promotions co-chair Tracy Hamilton at (608) 328-4405.
The 27 large wood animals that have made their home on the Square this summer, including a giraffe, zebra, hippo, gorilla, snake, monkeys, turtles, mountain goat, and even an octopus, were all carved by Zoli Akacsos of Monroe. They will make their last weekend appearance during the Zoo's "Back to the Wild" event held during the Chili Cook-Off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.
Sponsored by the Monroe Youth Hockey Association and Monroe Main Street, the Chili Cook Off will consist of chili teams producing their product from scratch, starting at 7 a.m. Beginning at 1 p.m., blind judging will determine the best chili of the day. Samples will be available for the public.
There will also be live music by The Jimmys, the Farmer's Market and non-profit vendor booths.
The animals will remain up through a visit from state Main Street officials on Wednesday, Oct. 5, said Kareesa Wilson, Main Street Monroe Promotions co-chair. They will come down shortly afterwards.
The Zoo was a hit, she said.
"They have exceeded our expectations. We were thinking and hoping that they would bring families downtown, but we were overwhelmed by the response," she said.
Wilson said people have enjoyed touching the wood carvings and children have climbed all over them - just the response Main Street organizers wanted.
"We wanted it to be interactive," Wilson said.
Five of the 27 animals are still in need of sponsorship: the pandas, the shark in front of First National Bank and Trust, the snake hanging from the courthouse, the pelican in front of Wisconsin Community Bank and the peacock.
Once an individual or business sponsors an animal, it belongs to them, Wilson said. Some have opted to donate the animal to a park or public area.
Those who attend the "Back to the Wild" event can catch a glimpse of what Monroe Main Street has in store for the Square next summer, Wilson added.
Monroe Main Street will have a booth in the inner ring of the southside of the Square. The first 50 children to arrive at the booth will receive a free zoo goodie bag, Wilson said.
The event will also include activities such as face painting, a woodcarving demonstration by Akacsos, a s'mores booth, a "Make a Monster" craft booth by the Monroe Theatre Guild, and a pie-eating contest. A drawing will be held to give away three carvings Akacsos will do during the event.
For more information on sponsoring the animals or to make a donation, contact Wilson at (608) 329-5899 or Main Street Monroe Promotions co-chair Tracy Hamilton at (608) 328-4405.