Chattanooga's wildest party is back for the Chattanooga Zoo's 80th anniversary.
The zoo will host its annual Banana Ball on Saturday, Oct, 14, at the zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Additionally, the sixth Banana Split party will be held for kids earlier that day at the zoo.
Saturday's activities will kick off with the Banana Split event from 10 a.m. until noon.
Children are invited for a presentation by special guest, Jack Hanna, and his animal friends, face painting, a bounce house, goody bags and sweet banana splits.
Tickets are $25 per person for zoo members, $30 for nonmembers.
The Banana Ball will begin at 5 p.m. with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres, along with traditional African music and dance by Mawre & Co.
From 6 to 7 p.m., the adults will get their chance to hear celebrity guest Hanna, followed by animal encounters.
Dinner will be catered by Lee Towery, Surround Sound Band will play and a cigar bar will offer signature, hand-rolled cigars.
Banana Ball guests will also have the chance to experience animal paintings, adopt their favorite zoo animal and learn about the Chattanooga Zoo's capital campaign, Reaching Great Heights.
Recognized as America's favorite zookeeper, Hanna has made countless television appearances since 1983 on shows such as "Good Morning, America," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Larry King Live," "The Late Late Show with James Corden," "The View," Fox News and CNN news programs.
"Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures" ran for 10 years and is still in syndication. The Columbus Zoo and Nationwide Insurance partnered to sponsor the Emmy Award-winning "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild," and a show on ABC, "Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown."
Banana Ball tickets are $100 per person for zoo members, $120 for nonmembers. Banana Ball guests must be 21 or older. Tickets for either the children's or adult party can be purchased online: www.chattzoo.org.