Entertainment

Have you ever seen kangaroos, zebras outside a Bass Pro Shops? They’re coming in June

Bass Pro Shops is known for being the hub for outdoorsmen and showing grand displays, large fish tanks and arcade gun ranges. But now, outside one Dania Beach store, you’ll be able to see zebras, kangaroos, camels and more.

No, we aren’t joking.

For one week in June, people can experience a social distance animal drive-thru in a Bass Pro Shops’ parking lot, 200 Gulf Stream Way. From June 11 to 14, guests can pay $10 to see an assortment of animals.

“This event is to create a social distance drive-thru petting zoo in the parking lot of Bass Pro Shops. The farm animals will be cages and people will not be allowed to exit their cars,” according to a Dania Beach city spokesperson.

The Dania Beach City Commission on Tuesday approved a special event permit with no discussion. The event also passed necessary inspection and enforcement services.

Bass Pro Shops only confirmed the event will be held in an adjoining gravel parking lot but did not elaborate further.

Mayhem Ranch, who is hosting the animal drive-thru along with All American Drive-Thru Zoo, said it was directed to refer all questions to Bass Pro Shops.

On Facebook, the ranch described itself as a family-owned farm that owns mini cattle and show goats. In a post promoting the event, hundreds commented positive reactions to this uncommon zoo experience.

One commentator said, “Wow something fun and amazing for the kids. Thank you for the big idea.”

A Bass Pro Shops in Dania Beach won’t be the only place you can see exotic wild animals in June.

ZooMiami announced it will be reopening June 1 with increased safety measures: tickets must be pre-purchased on the zoo’s website, visitors 2 and older will have to wear face coverings, and personal animal feedings and some high-contact experiences will be closed.

Lion County Safari, which lets animals roam on around 600 acres, never closed its drive-thru safari experience where guests can see lions, giraffes, zebras and more. The walk-thru area of the park remains closed.

Attractions across South Florida are getting creative in a time they can’t open. Dezerland Park, a indoor theme park, was issued a permit to host drive-in movie nights every Friday through July 3.

Hard Rock Stadium will soon be opening The Outdoor Theaters, an open-air theater and a drive-in theater.

Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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