The 25th Annual DINE ON THE WILDSIDE, a benefit to raise funds for HAWKE Wildlife Rescue, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, 999 Anastasia Blvd.
Guests have exclusive use of the entire park during event hours. Celebrating their 125th anniversary year, the Alligator Farm has a brand new exhibit, OASIS ON THE NILE, featuring a crocodile mummy, live crocodiles and snakes, and Egyptian artifacts.
There will be guided boardwalk tours of the park’s wild bird sanctuary where the rookery season is in full swing. Visitors can see and photograph nesting activity, babies , and birds in their spectacular, full breeding plumage.
Delicious food donated by Gypsy Cab Company, Ned’s Southside Kitchen and Black Molly Grill will be enjoyed while listening to the music of producer/composer and two-time Emmy award-winning vocalist and musician Jamie DeFrates of St. Augustine.
Discounted advance benefit/dinner tickets will be available beginning April 23 at the Alligator Farm Gift Shop, Music Matters/Riverside Plaza, 196 FL-312 in St. Augustine, or at the St. Johns Vet Clinic Pet Store at 1360 US-1 just North of Target, St. Augustine.
Advance tickets are $35 for ages 12 & up, $20 for ages 5 – 11, and free for ages 4 and younger. Ticket are available April 21 at www.hawkewildlife.org. Online tickets purchased may be picked up at the park entrance day of the event beginning at 4 p.m.
To include an all-day, come-and-go park pass with benefit/dinner ticket send stamped self-addressed envelope with check or $40 on-line purchase receipt to: HAWKE, INC., P.O. Box 188, Elkton, FL 32033 by May 7.
At the door, day of dinner event tickets only will be available with sales starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.
For many years HAWKE has been going into classroms and civic organizations to teach about animal rescue and rehabilitation. We bring bird ambassadors with us to make the connection with our audience that no powerpoint slide could. Emphasis is placed on the ecological and moral responsibility we have toward the animals we share the planet with. In addition to a talk and meet and greet with the bird ambassadors, a Q & A is done and pictures are allowed.
HAWKE educational items will be available for sale and Adopt-A-Critter certificates available. Call (904) 692-1777 or go to www.hawkewildlife.org
- April 20, 2026
