First Creature Feature of the Year Happening this Saturday
The Kokomo Parks & Recreation Department will kick off its 2025 Creature Features program series this Saturday at the Kirkendall Nature Center in Jackson Morrow Park, 4200 S. Park Road in Kokomo. Since its debut in 2019, the community has enjoyed this educational animal series. KPRD Recreation Manager Allison Reed, said the program has expanded significantly since its first year, which featured only two animal encounters.
Photo Provided | KPRD
“It’s grown into an entire series of special animal encounters each month with unique organizations from right here in Indiana,” Reed said. Eight Creature Features are scheduled for this year, running from April through December.
The 2025 Creature Features series begins this weekend with Silly Safari from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Kirkendall Nature Center in Jackson Morrow Park. Silly Safari, based in Acton, Indiana, will present an interactive animal experience featuring reptiles, mammals, birds and bugs. Creature Feature programs are free and open to the public. KPRD Program Director Allison Reed encourages guests of all ages to attend.
“Our Creature Feature Series is designed to engage people of all ages,” Reed said. “Even though the shows and interactions may be designed with kids in mind, the organizations we work with love sharing their knowledge and animal experiences with any and everyone. People of all ages who are curious about animals they’ve never seen up close before should stop by.”
Photo Provided | Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department
With monthly programs running through December, the Creature Feature series offers plenty of opportunities to get up close with unique animal friends. Each event features a different organization and interactive experience. For full details and updates, visit the Kokomo Parks & Recreation Department website. Here’s a brief look at the upcoming Creature Feature schedule:
Saturday, April 26- Silly Safari from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 17- Joy Journey Farms Mobile Petting Zoo and Pony Rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, June 14 -Take Flight! Birds of Prey from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9- Squishy & Friends Interactive Reptile Show from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27- Indiana Wild from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18- Animal-Grams Barnyard Petting Zoo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 15- Wrangler & Friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6- Christmas at Kirkendall from 4 to 7 p.m.
“We absolutely love all of the animal friends that get to come visit us at the Nature Center. To say that we look forward to any one Creature Feature more than another would just not be the truth,” said Reed.
Everyone can look forward to another exciting year of programming from Kokomo Parks & Recreation. For more information on upcoming Creature Feature events and other programs, visit the KPRD website.
