BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo welcomed back the iconic Big Cow statue from its refurbishing and repainting at CT Composites in South Windsor, Conn. Gone from its familiar spot in front of the New England Farmyard for the past month, it made the moo-ve back today in an open truck down 84 to Route 8, to the delight of drivers on those roads.
Doug Wade of Wade’s Dairy Inc was on hand to welcome the cow. His company stepped forward with a $5,000 donation to pay for the cow’s makeover after forty years of being loved by children at the Zoo.
“I’ve been in the milk business all my life,” said Doug Wade. “When I saw the Big Cow, I knew it was a great connection for our company.” He added, “You can whip our cream, but you can’t beat our milk.”
“For 100 years, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has been a beloved destination for families and individuals throughout the region. The Big Cow has been a meeting place for groups and families and a favorite destination for children for almost forty years,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “We’re so grateful when members of the community step forward and help us meet our ongoing needs. We are grateful to Doug Wade and Wade’s Dairy, Inc. for their generous donation.”
“Our Facebook community also provided another $1,500 in donations which allowed us to replant and beautify the area around the cow,” Dancho continued. “We thank all of our supporters.”
Wade’s Dairy, Inc. will be at the Zoo throughout Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30, handing out milk, chocolate milk and lemonade to Zoo guests.
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 100thth year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican gray wolves and red wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the
Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization celebrating its Centennial year when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org: we recommend that guests continue to wear masks while visiting the Zoo, but when guests are outside and are able to maintain social distance, masks may be removed. In any indoor area, or when social distancing cannot be maintained, masks are required. Everyone over the age of two, except for those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them, should have a mask available.
About Wade’s Dairy, Inc.
Wade’s Dairy, Inc., located in Bridgeport, Conn., has been family owned and operated for 129 years.