Dine on the wild side to benefit local wildlife

HAWKE announces that their 20th annual Dine on the Wild Side fund-raising dinner will be held at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm on Saturday evening, May 17, 2014. This popular event is sponsored each year by the Alligator Farm and Zoological Park (www.alligatorfarm.com)—more than a park, it’s the zoo for you.

A ticket to Dine on the Wild Side includes an all-day come-and-go pass to the park.
Those attending can see all the shows and enjoy exclusive use of the entire park for our benefit beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Have your family and friends come to a wild Saturday they will never forget.

DINING:
Dinner is included and will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Alligator Farm’s exotic setting. The dinner will feature mouth-watering BBQ chicken, coleslaw, and baked beans from Jerry Stalvey’s BBQ. There are also limited tickets for a vegetarian dinner donated by the Gypsy Cab. All meals will be served with dessert, iced tea, and a roll. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the Alligator Farm’s Snack Bar.

MUSIC:
How about dining next to exotic wildlife while being serenaded by two-time Emmy Award winning Jamie DeFrates — who will be performing the music at this year’s event, while you enjoy your meal.
He has been at the forefront of Florida’s professional music scene for several decades and his scoring projects for regional and national clients reads like a Top 20 list from the Chamber of Commerce: The Wilderness Society, PGA Tour, and many more.

TOURING:
Enjoy a guided tour of the bird rookery from the boardwalk and view thousands of birds in all stages of life, from courtship to nesting, and be sure to bring your camera for unique photo opportunities.

LEARNING:
Also during the event, a segment of the television show, Wildlife Nannies, featuring HAWKE president Melanie Cain-Stage and videotaped at the HAWKE rehabilitation facility, will be shown in the Education Room.

TICKETING:
Discount advance tickets for the event will go on sale beginning April 10 for only $45 for ages 12 and up, and $30 for kids 5 to 11 (admission for children 4 and under is free if they share an adult’s meal—no ticket required).

Current HAWKE members can purchase discounted tickets for $40 by mail only (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope). A limited number of tickets for $50 may be available at the door. You can obtain tickets by sending a check and a self-addressed stamped envelope to HAWKE, PO BOX 188, Elkton FL 32033 (be sure to indicate your meal preference: either “Veggie” or “BBQ”). The vegetarian meals sell out fast, so call and check for availability after May 14. You can also purchase advance tickets at the Alligator Farm, Music Matters (Riverside Plaza), the St. Johns Vet Pet Store (on US 1, north of Target). You can also purchase advance tickets at HAWKE’s website for $45.00 for adults and $30 for children.