“We have made it that ‘Performance in the Park’ isn’t just about singing and concerts,” said Joy Handt, Blaine recreation manager.
For this week’s performance, the parks department brought in Sustainable Safari to teach and share about five animals: an opossum, a capybara, a fennec fox, a baby kangaroo and a crocodile.
“We’re adding more education into some of the shows with Sustainable Safari coming and showing the animals so the kids can learn from it,” said Handt.
This is one of about 400 shows Sustainable Safari will bring to a community, school, or senior center this summer.
“Not many people know that kangaroos are the size of a jelly bean when they’re born,” said Taylor Swanson with Sustainable Safari.
Normally this zoo operates inside Maplewood mall, but Swanson likes the opportunity to bring the animals to the people.
“ I feel like we’re reaching people in the communities that might not see animals such as the capybara or an alligator up close,” said Swanson. “It’s getting kids really involved in animals and
being advocates for them.”
And for Blaine, it’s about providing a variety of interesting options in programming.
“It’s all about family and being able to get out there,” said Handt.
Blaine’s Performance in Park series continues through the end of August with shows most Tuesday and Thursday nights. Typically the shows are outside of city hall in Tom Ryan Park.
