African American Family Celebration at the National Zoo

The National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo host an African American Family Celebration each year on Easter Monday. The Washington, DC event includes traditional Easter activities for families, such as an Easter egg hunt, Easter-themed games and a visit from the Easter bunny! Live entertainment will include African storytelling and performances by an a cappella gospel quintet, a Caribbean and reggae band, a steel-drum band, a dance team, and a double-dutch jump rope team. In addition, animal keepers will host talks, feedings and 41 demonstrations highlighting a variety of animals, including cheetahs, western lowland gorillas, bald eagles, spectacled bears, kiwis and Asian elephants. Admission is free.

Date and Time: April 13, 2009, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine.

Location: National Zoo, Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC

Pathways to Freedom-The Peace Quilt

In honor of the work and life of civil rights' activist Rosa Parks, this special quilt will be displayed for visitors to trace the various civil rights and freedom trails, as well as the important events in Parks' life. The quilt was created for the Washington, DC Metropolitan Pathways to Freedom Chapter of the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute of Self Development, an organization co-founded by Parks to continue her legacy. It was made and designed by international award-winning quilt-maker Geri V. Ford. McCall-Haygan will be on hand to share Parks’ story.

Live Entertainment at Lion/Tiger Hill

11 a.m.-4 p.m. DJ George of Talk of the Town

11 a.m. Mutual Agreement-a cappella gospel quintet

11:40 a.m. Webb Elementary School Dance Team

12:15 p.m.Lara Family and Friends Steel Drum Team

2 p.m. Baba Jamal Koram-master storyteller in the oral history and tradition of West African cultures and music

3:15 p.m. Fan Fan/Global Beat 101-Caribbean and reggae music

Read more about Easter in Washington, DC