By Isle of Wight Observer
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is inviting Islanders to join its 50th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, September 19, with an evening of family entertainment, music, animal talks, and a drone show.
The event, from 5pm-8.30pm at the Yaverland sanctuary, marks five decades since the Corney family took over what was then the Isle of Wight Zoo, in 1976.
Since then, the site has developed into Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, and now provides a permanent home for rescued animals, including big cats, bears, primates, and other species.
The anniversary celebration will feature Bubbleology displays, from The Lovely Bubbly Show, live acoustic music from Ruby, glitter face painting, performances by Melodic Choir, and roaming entertainment, from The New Carnival Company.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy special animal talks and feeds, with a barbecue, local food traders, and a cocktail bar available throughout the evening.
The event will end with a Wildheart-themed drone show, by LumaNation.
Wildheart chief executive, Lawrence Bates, said: “Fifty years is an extraordinary milestone, and we wanted to celebrate it with the people who have helped make Wildheart what it is today.
“This celebration is about looking back at five decades of animal rescue and care, but it’s also about looking forward.”
Tickets cost £16.50 for adults and £13.50 for children aged three to 14, while under-threes go free. Tickets are available from the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary website – wildheartanimalsanctuary.org.