Princess Day at the John Ball Zoo on Tuesday

As a child, I can remember how bored we would get during summer vacation. "Mom, what is there to do?"

I can only imagine how tough it must be this summer to try to keep your children entertained, but yet adhere to all the social distancing and mask wearing policies we have to deal with due to the coronavirus.

Good news...on Tuesday, July 21st it will be Princess Day at the John Ball Zoo. The event will run from 9 am to 4 pm. The Princess Day meet and greet is included in your regular admission to the zoo

While dressed as their favorite character, guests can meet special royalty throughout the day, including:

Ice Queen
Ice Princess
Cinderella
Frog Princess
Wayfinder
Jasmine
Ariel
Belle

Please note that princesses will be rotating throughout the day.

Changes this year due to COVID-19:

John Ball Zoo will be limiting the number of guests in the Zoo for the day. They recommend reserving your timed tickets online prior to arrival. This will ensure your entry, as they cannot guarantee tickets will be available for walk-up ticket purchases. You can reserve your tickets in advance here.

The meet and greets will be handled a little differently this year as well. Instead of individual photo opportunities with each character, your family will have the chance to meet and take photos with up to three characters in each specified meet-and-greet location. These magical interactions will be from a safe distance of 6 feet apart. Masks will not be required for photos, but they do ask that you keep your mask on while in the line queue and remain a safe social distance away from the party in front of you.

John Ball Zoo also reminds you that "per the State of Michigan, for all indoor public spaces at the Zoo, anyone who is age five (5) years and older, and who can medically tolerate a mask must wear one. In addition, if you cannot maintain six feet distance from other guests, are age five (5) years and older, and can medically tolerate a mask, you must wear one outdoors. We ask that you please bring a mask with you to the Zoo. This will help you be prepared should you find yourself in a situation where your group is unable to socially distance."

Also, for the adults, the John Ball Zoo is bringing back their annual summer event Adult Night Out coming up this Thursday, July 23rd.

The John Ball Zoo website has additional information on both events. They also have information on their Facebook page.

The Zoo is located at 1300 W. Fulton Street in Grand Rapids, MI.