News and Stories

Get Your Name on the Hippo on Cincinnati Zoo’s New Carousel and Meet the Hippos Behind the Scenes

Each $5 chance to win also comes with a ticket to ride the carousel

CINCINNATI, OH (April 17, 2023) – The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s much-anticipated new carousel is now open, and you could win the opportunity to put your name on a carousel hippo! Each $5 entry comes with a carousel ticket and $20 buys five entries and one carousel ticket. In addition to the name plaque, which will be placed at the base of the hippo carousel animal, the winner will get a behind-the-scenes tour of Hippo Cove and meet the real hippos!

Photos | Video

“The new carousel is spectacular and includes a variety of animal seats.  There are two hippos, and we know that people will want to hop on those. I rode the alligator during our staff preview spin, since that’s my favorite animal,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard.  “Some of the carousel costs were covered by generous donors, and their names are on plaques on some of the animals.  We thought it would be fun to open the hippo naming opportunity to the public.”

Housed in a vintage-inspired, open-air gazebo with an old-fashioned boardwalk, the Zoo’s new carousel offers views along Swan Lake, providing a familiar, nostalgic experience. At the same time, the carousel’s 60 animals reflect the beauty and significance of wildlife we strive to protect.

“It’s in a prime location, right in the middle of the Zoo,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard.  “It will remain open during Tunes & Blooms concerts on Thursday nights in April, so visitors can listen to tunes and look at blooms while riding.”

Opportunity ends April 30, 2023.

The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Members get Early Entry and are welcome to enter the Zoo at 9 a.m. Memberships are on sale so join the Zoo at a discounted price and enjoy all the perks, including unlimited carousel rides for Platinum and Gold members!

DID YOU KNOW…. You pay more than $10 less per ticket, on select days, when you purchase tickets online!  That’s a $40 savings for a family of 4!