Washington's African American Community Gathers at the National Zoo to Celebrate a Century-Old Tradition on Easter Monday 3/27/2010

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo will continue a Washington tradition that spans more than 100 years by hosting “Easter Monday: An African American Family Tradition” April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and will take place rain or shine.

This year’s celebration will include a variety of activities, live entertainment and food for sale. The event will also feature traditional Easter activities for families, such as an Easter egg hunt, Easter-themed games and a visit from the Easter bunny. Live entertainment will include performances by an a cappella gospel quintet, an R&B group and a children’s musician and puppeteer.

Animal keepers will host more than 50 talks, feedings and demonstrations highlighting a variety of animals, including cheetahs, western lowland gorillas, spectacled bears, kiwis and Asian elephants. New this year, visitors will have the opportunity to “Meet-a-Curator” in various Zoo exhibit areas.

Representatives from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the first national museum to be devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, will be on hand to showcase and discuss their sustainable and green building design.

The 2010 “Easter Monday: An African American Family Tradition” event is sponsored by the 2010 U.S. Census Road Tour, United Airlines and WHUR Radio 96.3 FM.