MIAMI, FL – (June 19, 2012) – Look no further for affordable family fun for the Fourth of July. For the third year in a row, Zoo Miami is offering a sweet summer deal of $5 admission, backed up by Ford Motor Company.

"Zoo Miami is such a great community resource and we want as many families as possible to enjoy it," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company.  "In celebration of Independence Day, Ford is pleased to provide support so that the Zoo is accessible to more people during this holiday week."

Representatives from Ford will be setting up shop in the zoo on July 4, 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will receive giveaways when they register to win a new Ford Focus and will be able to view some of their latest car models.

Guests visiting Zoo Miami on these discounted days can enjoy a few other goodies in addition to visiting the lions, tigers and bears along with the normal attractions offered by the zoo.  On July 7, Blue Bell will be helping guests cool down by distributing free samples of ice cream to lucky zoo visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of Scoops for Conservation, a partnership between the Zoological Society of Florida and Blue Bell Ice Cream that encourages donations for wildlife conservation. Pepsi Next will also be distributing free samples to help keep visitors refreshed on July 7 & 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“There is always so much to explore and take part in at the zoo, so for $5, it’s really a steal,” said Eric Stephens, Zoo Miami Director. “Each visit is like a whole new experience.”

To help plan the perfect visit, Zoo Miami has launched a handy mobile application for iPhone and Android owners that equips users with a map, calendar, animal information and more. The application can be found by searching for Zoo Miami in the App Store or Android Marketplace. Free Wi-Fi is also offered in four large, convenient locations throughout the zoo.

For the whole Zoo Miami experience, guests should plan to explore the new Playworld Playground for some wet and wild fun for the kids. If visiting on a weekend, the Hippo Slide, the world’s largest inflatable water slide, is open to the public for a seriously slippery experience.

Along the way, the Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station allows visitors to get up close and personal with a giraffe’s 14-inch tongue for a few bucks. Guests can also feed our Indian rhinoceroses, hop on for a camel ride or choose from the many different ways to travel through the zoo to view and learn about all our animals.

The special and limited $5 admission days are available only from July 4-8 and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 street; Miami, FL 33177. General Zoo Admission is: $15.95 per Adult and $11.95 per Child (3-12), plus tax.  Children under two, Zoo members and parking are free. Zoo Miami’s hours are 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; ticket booths close at 4 pm.  For more information please visit www.zoomiami.org or call (305) 251-0400.

The Zoological Society of Florida is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports Zoo Miami through education, conservation and outreach programs; marketing and public relations; volunteer services and financial support for the construction of new exhibits.

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