By Tommy Morgan
GUYTON, Ga. — Families looking for the perfect way to spend a summer Saturday are invited to Hope Ranch GVS Zoo for its exciting Red, White & Zoo celebration on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The all-day event promises animal encounters, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and the debut of one of the area’s newest attractions—GellyBall.
Located at 1383 George Hurst Road, Guyton, GA 31312, the zoo will be transformed into a day of interactive fun where visitors can get closer than ever to some of their favorite animals while enjoying entertainment for all ages.
Admission is $20 per person, with children ages 2 and under admitted free, making it an affordable day of family adventure.
Throughout the day, guests will have the opportunity to participate in special animal presentations and hands-on experiences, including learning about Bella, the zoo’s beloved two-toed sloth, by stepping inside her enclosure for an up-close educational experience and a memorable selfie. Visitors can also meet some of the zoo’s fascinating snakes, feed Camelot the camel, learn about JoJo the Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot and Vladimir the Russian Tortoise, and wrap up the afternoon with a special Ferret Meet and Greet featuring some of the zoo’s smallest furry residents.
Visitors can also put their competitive spirit to the test during the 11:30 a.m. pie-eating contest, where the winner will receive a Family Four-Pack of zoo admission.
One of the biggest highlights of this year’s event will be the introduction of Liberty Strike GellyBall, an exciting, low-impact game that is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing family attractions in the country. Unlike traditional paintball, GellyBall uses soft, water-filled gel beads that burst on impact without leaving painful welts, bruises, or messy paint stains. The result is a fast-paced, action-packed experience that is safe, fun, and enjoyable for children, teens, and adults alike. Whether you’re playing your first match or challenging friends and family, GellyBall offers thrills without the discomfort of traditional paintball, making it a perfect activity for all ages.
Families can also beat the summer heat on the water slide, browse local vendors, enjoy delicious food from The Food Boxx, cool off with refreshing treats from Kona Ice of Savannah, and sip on fresh-squeezed lemonade from The Squeeze Squad.
For younger visitors, Hope Ranch GVS Zoo features a large shaded playground, giving children a comfortable place to climb, play, and explore while parents relax nearby in the shade. Combined with the zoo’s beautiful grounds and wide variety of animals, it’s easy to spend the entire day making memories together.
The zoo’s unique blend of interactive animal experiences, outdoor recreation, family games, and delicious food makes the Red, White & Zoo celebration one of the premier summer events in the region. Whether visitors come to pet animals, compete in GellyBall, enjoy the pie-eating contest, or simply spend quality time together outdoors, there truly is something for everyone.
Adding to the excitement, Effingham Talks/Effingham Premiere Entertainment will be on hand throughout the day, helping capture the fun and showcase one of Effingham County’s most exciting family destinations.
From feeding a camel and learning about a sloth to racing down the water slide, enjoying refreshing treats, and experiencing the excitement of GellyBall, the Red, White & Zoo event promises a full day of family-friendly entertainment that visitors of all ages won’t want to miss.
Event Details
- What: Red, White & Zoo
- When: Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Where: Hope Ranch GVS Zoo, 1383 George Hurst Road, Guyton, GA 31312
- Admission: $20 per person; Children ages 2 and under are free.
With exciting animal encounters, interactive attractions, delicious food, family games, and one of the area’s newest recreational experiences in Liberty Strike GellyBall, Hope Ranch GVS Zoo is the place to be this Saturday. Bring the family, make lasting memories, and discover why Red, White & Zoo is shaping up to be one of the must-attend summer events in Effingham County.
