Looking for the perfect place to spend the Fourth of July weekend? Zoo Miami celebrates the grand opening of the Wacky Barn at the Children's Zoo with a community hoedown during Independence Day Weekend.

Wacky Barn Hoedown takes place July 2 - 4 with child admission for all*, new barn animals, live country music, giveaways and many more surprises!

Zoo Miami’s new Wacky Barn will provide visitors with a petting zoo experience in a colorful, non-traditional barn featuring a new collection of animals including miniature and Shetland horses, goats, alpaca, sheep, and other animals. To celebrate this zany addition, Zoo Miami’s guests will be treated to not only meeting these special animals, but also to special admission prices, country music, giveaways, and more!

*All guests who would like to attend the hoe down from July 2 - 4 or visit the zoo anytime in July are invited to relive their wacky youth by obtaining a coupon at www.facebook.com/zoomiami and www.zoomiami.org. This coupon will enable them to only pay the child’s admission price of $11.95 plus tax, good for up six people in their party.

Aside from the special admission price, the first 1,000 guests from July 2 - 4 will be treated to great giveaways. Each day during Independence Day weekend, collectable, custom, limited edition Wacky Barn lapel pins, souvenir cups and bandanas will be given away. On July 2, Blue Bell will be on hand distributing ice cream snacks from noon to 2 p.m., to help raise funds for the Scoops for Conservation Fund, a partnership between the Zoological Society of Florida and Blue Bell Ice Cream that encourages donations for wildlife conservation.

Singer/songwriter Buddy Brown will be performing original and popular country music July 2 - 4 from noon to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. His songs have been picked up by radio stations in Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and New Mexico and he has opened for country music artists Colt Ford and John Anderson. For more details on Buddy Brown visit, www.BuddyBrownCountry.com. Between Buddy Brown’s performances, disc jockeys will be playing music and line dancers will be performing. On July 2, Kiss Country FM’s Darlene Evans will be here live from 1 to 3 p.m.

Also during the three-day weekend, the first 1,000 people who make a purchase in the Island Trader Gift Shop will receive a complimentary eight-pack of Sierra Mist Natural soda, courtesy of Pepsi. Other great offers that will be taking place inside the park include $1.00 hot dogs and drinks, and carousel rides. In addition, monorail rides will be free for the entire weekend.