Feast with the Beasts at The Knoxville Zoo

Wear your walking shoes and be prepared to wait in long lines. The vendors are great but they do run out of food and the entire park is not open. If you want to see more than elephants and red pandas, you should skip this and come back during the day. It’s a fun time and the zoo is great but I’ve heard it’s not what it used to be.

I am writing this review mostly for first timers who want to attend Feast with the Beasts. I looked high and low for info for my first time and couldn’t find much except what little was on the zoo’s website and Facebook nor did I know anyone who had ever been. I have wanted to go for years and just never had anyone who wanted or would go for the $ 60 per person. But this year, my boyfriend took me :). We didn’t know what to expect, what to wear, or if it was even worth the steep admission price. So I am going to tell you!
1) The admission price: yes, it goes to a wonderful cause, but not typically in everyone’s budget. We thought it was worth every penny just because we had such a wonderful time but you may not get your $ worth if you are not a drinker. Again, though, all proceeds go straight to the zoo so that is gratifying in itself!
2) Wear comfortable shoes! There is quite a bit of walking. The vendors are spread all around the zoo. I had on wedges and my feet were killing me by the end of the night. There were girls there in stilettos and I don’t know how they did it. The dress code is casual nice but there is a lot of everything going on. Saw people dressed to the nines and others in t-​shirts and jeans. I say happy medium (sundress and cute flip flops or equivalent for girls, etc). Just remember you are going to be on your feet most of the four hours…
3) Find the vendors you would really like to visit and go there first. A couple of them that I was really looking forward to ran out of food before we got to them and it was only 9:30, wish they had prepared better but oh we’ll, I was a bit disappointed in that.
4) When you come in there is a map of the vendors, it’s easy to miss… it would have been nice if they could give you a map you can carry with you though…
5) Most everything is sample sized and sometimes a bit of a wait especially for the food, you’ll have to go to several vendors to get your fill.
We had a great time here! Everyone was really friendly and just having a good time. Oh there were a couple of bands playing in different areas. Plenty of clean bathrooms, no porta potties :) I’m rambling now but just writing stuff as I think of it. It goes on from 7pm to 11pm, 21 and older only. Not lacking on the alcohol either, mixed drinks, wine, beer! Again everything is sample sized but you can always go back through and get more. If I think of anymore, I’ll edit but hopefully this gives you an idea of Feast with the Beasts!