The living desert to host la gran fiesta In honor of hispanic heritage month

The Living Desert will host La Gran Fiesta, or The Big Party, as the finale to its Hispanic Heritage Month promotion on Saturday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Festivities are free for members or with paid park admission.
Party-goers at La Gran Fiesta will enjoy musical entertainment from mariachi groups to youth folklorico dancers, arts and crafts, face-painting, as well as authentic Mexican cuisine. The day’s activities include a scavenger hunt near the Mexican wolf, jaguar, caracara, and other animals important in Hispanic culture, along with and a variety of games and giveaways. As a special gift, the first 1,000 guests will receive a pepper plant cultivated and grown at The Living Desert (one per person while supplies last).
During La Gran Fiesta, The Living Desert will also be raising awareness of the plight of the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal. Current estimates state there are fewer than 60 of these small porpoise left in the northern Gulf of California. The vaquitas’ major threat is entanglement in fishing gillnets. As a way to help save the vaquita, attendees at La Gran Fiesta are invited to take part in the inaugural vaquita parade. Guests are also encouraged to ‘adopt’ a vaquita to help support their recovery in the wild – adopters receive an adoption certificate, book, hat, and fact sheet – and all proceeds go to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) vaquita conservation action plan.
“The Living Desert is home to several species with a Hispanic heritage so this is the perfect event to highlight the culture and educate guests about these incredible animals,” said Allen Monroe, President/CEO of The Living Desert. “La Gran Fiesta is a family friendly event that also empowers guests to help save animals from extinction.”
The Living Desert’s Hispanic Heritage Month promotion offers one free child admission with one paid adult admission on Saturdays and Sundays through October 15. The Living Desert is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information: (760) 346-5694 or visit www.LivingDesert.org.

About The Living Desert:
The Living Desert is an AZA-accredited zoo and gardens that is dedicated to desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. It is a family-friendly place to explore nature and create meaningful experiences for guests that are remembered for a lifetime. For more information: (760) 346-5694 or visit www.LivingDesert.org. The Living Desert is located at: 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260.