Teddy Bear Festival Returns to Beardsley Zoo for a Day of Imagination, Wellness and Family Fun
Rowena White
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Rowena White
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
The Teddy Bear Festival Returns to Beardsley Zoo for a Day of Imagination, Wellness and Family Fun
Bridgeport,
CT –
For one special day each summer, teddy bears and favorite plush friends become the patients, children become the caregivers, and Beardsley
Zoo comes alive for one of the most beloved family traditions.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is thrilled to announce the return of the annual Teddy Bear Festival on Saturday, July 18, from 10 am to 2pm. This interactive day brings imagination, health and education together for children and their favorite stuffed plush.
The centerpiece of the festival is the Teddy Bear Clinic, hosted in partnership with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and sponsored by State of Connecticut on behalf of the CHET 529 College Savings Program. Children are invited to bring their favorite plush companions for gentle pretend medical care, where pediatric specialists provide engaging check-ups and bandaging, and plenty of reassurance that helps make healthcare feel familiar, fun, and nurturing.
“Caring for children means nurturing both their health and their curiosity about the world around them,” said Magna Dias, MD, chair of Pediatrics at the Bridgeport Campus of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. “The Teddy Bear Clinic gives children a playful, interactive introduction to medical care, helping build comfort, empathy and confidence. We’re delighted to partner with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo for an event that brings families together while inspiring learning and discovery.”
“The Teddy Bear Festival is one of those special traditions that brings families together,” said Jim Wharton, CEO of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. “Watching children care for their stuffed plush companions while learning about wellness, compassion and the natural world creates memories that last long after the day is over. Whether it's a visit to the Teddy Bear Clinic or exploring the Zoo together, it's definitely a day families look forward to year after year.”
In addition to the clinic, the festival will include activities and educational opportunities around grounds. Families can enjoy outdoor exploration, learning more about wildlife care and the importance of conservation through interactive fun.
Admission to the festival is included with regular Zoo entry, and advance ticket purchases are encouraged to ensure a full day of adventure, learning, and unforgettable encounters.
For more information and tickets, please visit www.beardsleyzoo.org.
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About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating 102 years, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Red Pandas, Andean bears, Maned Wolves, Mexican Gray Wolves, and American Red Wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, and a new prairie dog exhibit that we’ll cut the ribbon on soon! As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org.
About Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Yale
New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH) offers Connecticut’s largest and most comprehensive array of pediatric services. With 208 licensed beds, YNHCH includes two neonatal intensive care units, a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, a pediatric intensive
care unit, a pediatric psychiatry unit, an adolescent psychiatry unit, 24-hour Level 1 Pediatric Emergency Trauma Center and a pediatric surgery center. YNHCH, with campuses in New Haven and Bridgeport, is part of the nationally recognized Yale New Haven Hospital,
a 1,541-bed not-for-profit teaching hospital affiliated with Yale School of Medicine. The Yale New Haven Hospital campuses and associated ambulatory sites are Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition to its inpatient units,
YNHCH has three Pediatric Specialty Centers in New Haven and others in Greenwich, New London, Norwalk, Old Saybrook and Trumbull to provide specialty care to children closer to their communities. www.ynhch.org
About CHET The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) direct-sold college savings plan was established in 1997 and has grown to more than $6.8 billion in assets and 198,000 accounts. Over $4 billion has been withdrawn from CHET accounts to help more
students pay for college expenses. The State of Connecticut offers CHET to help families save for future higher education costs. Funds deposited into a CHET account have tax advantages and can be used at accredited colleges and universities across the country,
including vocational and technical schools, and some colleges abroad. Connecticut residents are allowed to deduct 529 contributions from their state income taxes – up to $5,000 for an individual or up to $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Investment
earnings are exempt from state and federal taxes if used for qualified educational expenses.
For more information, visit AboutCHET.com. Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/CHET529), follow us on Twitter (@CHET529) or on Instagram (@CHET529).
Photo credit: Scott Vincent
From: Joe Scalzo <jsc...@beardsleyzoo.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2026 8:05 AM
To: Rowena White <Row...@TheMarketingRow.com>; Alexa Lopez <Al...@TheMarketingRow.com>
Subject: Fw: Teddy Bear Clinic Press Release
Approved quote:
“Caring for children means nurturing both their health and their curiosity about the world around them,” said Magna Dias, MD, chair of Pediatrics at the Bridgeport Campus of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. “The Teddy Bear Clinic gives children a playful, interactive introduction to medical care, helping build comfort, empathy and confidence. We’re delighted to partner with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo for an event that brings families together while inspiring learning and discovery.”
Joseph M. Scalzo
Development Manager
O: 203.394.6573
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.
From: Raus, Amanda <Amand...@YNHH.ORG>
Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2026 6:27 AM
To: Joe Scalzo <jsc...@beardsleyzoo.org>; D'Amico, Stephanie <Stephanie.D'Am...@YNHH.ORG>; Chau, Carmen <Carme...@YNHH.ORG>; Dias, Magna (Yale.edu) <magna...@yale.edu>
Subject: Re: Teddy Bear Clinic Press Release
|
You don't often get email from amand...@ynhh.org. Learn why this is important |
Good morning, Joe,
The new quote is approved, so we are good to go!
Thank you,
Amanda Raus
Director of Media Relations
Yale New Haven Health
Cell: 203-218-6476
Email: Amand...@ynhh.org
Sent from my iPhone
From: Joe Scalzo <jsc...@beardsleyzoo.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 08 July 2026 10:05:07
To: Raus, Amanda <Amand...@YNHH.ORG>; D'Amico, Stephanie <Stephanie.D'Am...@YNHH.ORG>; Chau, Carmen <Carme...@YNHH.ORG>; Dias, Magna (Yale.edu) <magna...@yale.edu>
Subject: Re: Teddy Bear Clinic Press Release
Good morning All, I hope your Wednesday is off to a great start. I wanted to follow up and see if the updated quote is approved to move forward. We would like to get this out ASAP. Please advise. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day, Joe
Good morning All, I hope your Wednesday is off to a great start.
I wanted to follow up and see if the updated quote is approved to move forward. We would like to get this out ASAP.
Please advise.
Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day,
Joe
Joseph M. Scalzo
Development Manager
O: 203.394.6573
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.
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