ZoupArt soup lunch, art show raises funds for Bruemmer Park Zoo in Kewaunee

LUXEMBURG — It’s lunch and an art show to help a zoo on Sunday.

The Zoological Society of Kewaunee County is hosting its fifth annual ZoupArt fundraiser featuring hot soup and a dazzling student art show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds in Luxemburg. All proceeds go to Bruemmer Park Zoo in Kewaunee.

Admission is $10 at the door and includes a ceramic bowl handcrafted by students and the community. The event is expecting to serve 20 to 25 varieties of soup prepared by area restaurants and homemakers.

Those participating in the soup tasting will be given a ballot to determine the fan favorite in two categories, homemaker and restaurant. Prizes will be doled out for the best. Organizers are anticipating 500 to 600 people, doubling the amount of soup tasters in its first year.

The art show features the creations of Kewaunee County students from kindergarten through 12th grades in an open art exhibition. A juried art show also is planned for students in seventh through 12th grades. Prizes are designated for artists in the ninth- through 12th-grade category.

“I am looking forward to seeing what different artists apply different techniques,’’ said Luxemburg-Casco High School sophomore Dasha Drevenchuk.

“The art will also show how other people get inspired,’’ said L-C junior Becca Martin.

ZoupArt has flourished in the past five years. So has the Bruemmer Park Zoo.

With the help of the Zoological Society of Kewaunee County crew, more than $75,000 has been raised to rebuild the aging zoo.

“They are willing to do more,’’ commented Dave Myers, director of Kewaunee County Parks. “It is looking a lot better.’’

Built in the 1930s, the zoo currently houses bobcats, deer, arctic foxes, pygmy goats, sheep, pheasants and peacocks. It is currently closed while the bobcats’ new barrier fencing is under construction. There is a long-range master plan for updating the zoo.

Pam Zander, president of the Zoological Society of Kewaunee County, has been spearheading fundraising efforts and ZoupArt is a big contributor for the cause.

“People are real excited about what’s going on at the zoo,’’ said Zander. “Our whole goal is to keep the zoo growing. With everybody’s help, there are some cool projects coming up.’’

Among the new projects is a 20-foot-tall structure of a giraffe. Designed and constructed by Mike Remme with donations from Rio Creek Feed Mill, Heim Auto and Tom Ciha’s Mobile Repair.

The giraffe’s arrival is expected in the spring. Up next is a new shelter for the deer.

There will be a naming contest for the giraffe. During ZoupArt, a ballot with a name suggestion is offered for $1. Art students from each of the public and parochial schools will receive a ballot as a group representing each school as well.

Most of the zoo animals are located on the lower level behind Bruemmer Park, E4280 County F (intersection of County F and C), two miles northwest of Kewaunee.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: ZoupArt soup lunch, art show raises funds for Bruemmer Park Zoo in Kewaunee