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Playful North American river otters were among the entertainers Friday at Elmwood Park Zoo

Zoo Threw a Fourth of July Party, and Offered A Gift Too

July 6, 2025

NORRISTOWN PA – A surprising and valuable offer, made by the popular public zoo near Pottstown, attracted hundreds of people Friday (July 4, 2025) from across Montgomery County. Elmwood Park Zoo, the Norristown attraction accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, eliminated all admission fees on Independence Day.

Watch a video (above) of Fourth of July activity at the zoo, or view it at the Travels With The Post YouTube channel

For a Montgomery County family of four without a zoo membership, that saved as much as $54. Elmwood also remained open longer than its usual 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. operating hours, providing visitors with an extended stay. Some families took advantage of later entry times to see exhibits of more than 300 animals across its 16-acre property.

Thanks to a donor’s generosity, county residents during 2025 pay only half-price fees for regular admission. The zoo notes that a regularly used family membership could save even more, and provide several added benefits. Elmwood is located at 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA.

Elmwood’s gift, celebrating the 259th year of the nation’s freedom, was promoted by a Thursday (July 3) e-mail from the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board. Admission was controlled by entry times, and advance online registration was required.

The Independence Day offer may replicated on other dates during the year. For example, free admission days for only Norristown residents with suitable identification is scheduled on the last Saturdays and Sundays of every month.

Will similar free days will appear in the future? There’s no guarantee, but find out by keeping up with zoo events at its webpage.

Events Coming to Elmwood Park Zoo

The Elmwood events page lists several upcoming open-to-the-public events:

  • July 10 (Thursday), “Nature Explorers – Camouflage,” 10:15-10:45 a.m., ticketed; discover how and why animals use camouflage to survive; put your camouflage skills to the test; and meet an animal that’s a true master of disguise; held at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • July 11 (Friday), “Zoo Snooze,” starts at 5 p.m., ticketed; pack up the family for an exciting and educational overnight trip to the zoo, ZooSnooze overnight campouts are a perfect way to explore the zoo after the sun sets; held at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • July 12 (Saturday), “Wildlife Workout,” 8-10 a.m., ticketed; the zoo has partnered with Arete Athletics to offer a truly unique fitness experience; held at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • July 19 (Saturday), “Zoo Snooze,” starts at 5 p.m., ticketed; pack up the family for an exciting and educational overnight trip to the zoo, ZooSnooze overnight campouts are a perfect way to explore the zoo after the sun sets; held at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • July 24 (Thursday), “Nature Explorers – Scale and Tails,” 10:15-10:45 a.m., ticketed; learn what makes reptiles unique, discover their amazing adaptations, and meet a scaly friend who lives at the zoo; held at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • July 25 (Friday), “Eco-Family Programs: Nature At Night Hike,” 8-9:30 p.m., ticketed; join educators for a nighttime investigation into the world of nocturnal invertebrates, examine and survey the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths; held at Norristown Farm Park, 2500 Upper Farm Rd., Norristown PA
  • July 26 (Saturday), “Breakfast with the Giraffes,” 8:15-10 a.m., ticketed; rise and shine for the most important meal of the day, and share it with the zoo’s three towering giraffes; held at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA

All photos and videos by Travels With The Post

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News In Your County

Montgomery County PA

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Local and Regional News

Looking for free local news? See these sources:

The PCTV Network. PCTV, headquartered in Pottstown, provides local television programming in western Montgomery, northern Chester, and eastern Berks counties.

Digital Notebook. Pottstown resident Evan Brandt is the sole reporter for the venerable Pottstown Mercury newspaper. For many years, until February 2022, he offered observations about happenings in the borough and elsewhere. They remain valuable from a historical perspective.

The Boyertown Expression. Covers municipalities primarily within Berks County’s Boyertown Area School District, and focuses on the municipalities of Boyertown, Bally, Barto, and Gilbertsville. Its operators, Leslie Misko and Jane Stahl, are long-time Boyertown area residents with backgrounds in education and art.

Perk Valley Now. Covers municipalities primarily within Montgomery County's Perkiomen Valley School District: Zionsville, Schwenksville, Perkiomen, Perkiomenville, Trappe, Collegeville, and Skippack PA.

North Penn Now. Covers municipalities primarily within Montgomery County's North Penn School District: Hatfield township and borough, Lansdale, North Wales, Montgomery, Towamencin and Upper Gwynedd.

Keystone Wayfarer. Described by author Paula Hogan "as an outlet to publish accounts” that explore “the extensive history” of people and places in and around Schwenksville PA and, more broadly, Montgomery County PA.

Daily Voice Pottstown. Covers municipalities in western Montgomery County and beyond.

MyChesCo. MyChesCo has covered Chester County news since 2017.

Berks Community Television. Covers Berks County.

Spotlight PA. An investigative news service for Pennsylvania, supported by several news organizations statewide. It is starting a Berks County Edition.

Philly Voice. Covers Philadelphia and the suburbs.

Lehigh Valley News. Lehigh Valley News, headquartered in Bethlehem PA, provides news coverage in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and counties of the Lehigh Valley.

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