Twilight at the Zoo. It seems that just about everyone in Cleveland has attended. Even my folks have gone once or twice. But not us. Not until last week that is.

Twilight, which benefits the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, is this town’s biggest fundraiser. Roughly 6,200 people attended last Friday evening raising close to $500,000.

The event, which reminded me of a cross between a frat party at OSU, the old Rockin’ Reggae/Midwest Reggae Fest I’d attend in high school/college to see First Light and a touch of Put-in-Bay, featured 14 local bands, plenty of Sam Adams and finger food – all for guests 21 and over.

We were given a pair of media passes, which included VIP access (top-shelf cocktails and a better food selection, but we never made it back there). It’s been a good 10 years (unfortunately) since I’ve been to the zoo. The zoo looked great at night; they really did a nice job with the set up. Now that I have a family, I look forward to getting us passes and spending much more time there (when it cools down of course!).

This is perhaps one of the smartest fundraisers. I say that solely because they have been able to reach out well beyond their core target audience and raise money and secure attendance  from many different groups of people – people who may or may not normally support the Zoological Society. There were people from their early 20s to late 60s and everything in between. Country fans, reggae fans, swing and folk to 80s fans – you name it, all out to listen to their favorite bands and have a good time. There were those that were there to really party and likely never strayed too far from the beer trucks, to others that aimlessly wandered, soaking up both the setting and people watching.

We went with good friends and as always, had a great time with them, but probably would have had more fun if it already hadn’t been such a long week. Aside from the company and overall atmosphere, I truly did enjoy the music. They had some great bands – some we stopped to enjoy, others I’m sorry I missed. One in particular, 1988, I wasn’t familiar with but couldn’t get enough of. I love that decade, especially 80s cover bands. They aren’t as good as The Reaganomics (though each focuses on different music), but I’d certainly see them again.

Here’s what I didn’t care for – the food or drink. Let’s be clear, this is not a foodie event in any way shape or form. The hors d’oeuvres consisted of mostly fried finger foods (egg rolls, chicken fingers, ravioli, jalapeño poppers, etc.), pasta and breadsticks and crudités. There is no exaggeration here – almost everything was borderline inedible. The bread was so stale I had to toss it long with most of the finger foods. Each was way overcooked.

But this is not meant to be a food event. Given the amount of alcohol served, I’m sure their goal is to get something – anything – in people’s stomachs so that a touch of Put-in-Bay doesn’t become an exact replica.

But still, it would be nice to see a little more attention being put towards the food. I realize I’m picky in this area, but I know I wasn’t alone in my thinking. As for the selection of three Sam Adams brews, that seemed to make most happy. There were also cocktails, wine and even Jell-O shots, but I’m just not that into beer and never cared for Sam Adams (too heavy for me). But, I did like their Twisted Tea and had a couple of those.

Everyone I talk to or mention this event to just raves about it. It’s clear people wait all summer long to attend. I can see why. It’s a fun setting, great crowd, lots to do and for a good cause. And I know if the week’s events were different I would have had a different experience myself (and if the food choices were better too – hey, this is a food blog after all!).  Nonetheless, it was a success for the zoo and will no doubt continue to be for years to come.