Spring is definitely in the air. I can feel it in my bones, my attitude and my sinuses. It also means my daughter’s three-year birthday in April and I think I might have enough energy this year to actually plan something more than the few cupcakes I made last year (granted I did make them from scratch which is not to be taken lightly). So, where do I start?

I started my online research with the places I know she loves. One place we enjoyed for much of last year was Tracy Aviary located in Liberty Park. We would go there for our Music Together class and then stay for several hours eating a picnic lunch, watching the birds and feeding the ducks. We even enjoyed the construction of the new entrance because there was always something exciting going on. It was a great place to be outdoors and we would never get bored despite going every week. There was the owl forest, the peacocks strutting around, all types of colorful birds of which I can’t even begin to remember the names, the cute, yellow house that held birds from Argentina… and this is just a small list of the many things to do there. I also hear rumor of a new exhibit debuting this summer.

Imagine how delighted I was when I found out that Tracy Aviary is also in the birthday party business -- although they call them “Bird-day parties!” Abbey Christensen, PR, Marketing & Events Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator, explains, “Bird-day party groups may visit Tracy Aviary on their own between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day and they may call in advance to receive a group discount. The group discount is $1 off per person for a group over 10 people. If guests go this route, they may participate in any of the activities Tracy Aviary is offering that day, but will not receive a party host or any of the bird-day party activities.” This is a great, less expensive option because Tracy Aviary is very entertaining on its own and has many places outside to enjoy a picnic, the birthday cake and to open presents.

If you are looking for something even more unique, with some personal attention, you can pre-book one of their four party package options. Parties are held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. and last an hour and a half. Although this is subject to change so check the website www.tracyaviary.org. The party, held in the basement of the Chase Mill facility, includes everything you would need for a party except the food, cake and candles. There is one hour of hosted activities and 30 minutes to eat and open presents. “We can customize the activities to fit the group’s specific needs or requests,” Christensen says, “but they generally consist of a bird-theme craft, a scavenger hunt tour through the aviary that’s super fun for the kids while they’re learning (learning disguised as fun), a game, a cool up-close encounter with a bird, a bird show and then there are some add-ons such as the Amazon Adventure or the Pelican Encounter that are only $1 per person extra.” Admission for a certain number of invited guests is also included in the party package.

I am so glad I found out Tracy Aviary hosts birthday parties because they will be getting a call from me shortly. Where else could we see approximately 400 birds and enjoy hundreds of flowers and trees all while celebrating a birthday? And I can even bring my made-from-scratch cupcakes.

Tracy Aviary
www.tracyaviary.org
589 E. 1300 South, Salt Lake City
801-596-8500