June 8 (Friday), 7:00 – 11:00 pm

This casual outdoor fundraising event has been dubbed the “best party in town” and this year will be no exception!  Be one of the first to enjoy the all new Idema Forest Realm, funicular (tram), and the new Bissell Tree House.  Dance to the high energy sounds of the Sun Messengers, cash bar, gourmet food stations provided by the area’s top caterers, and – as always – a chance to be in the Zoo in the evening!  Tickets are $75 (available online here) or $150 for special pre-VIP party. Call (616)336-3036.

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- If you saw a black column of smoke in the air in northwest Grand Rapids today firefighters say you can blame it on a glorified dumpster fire.

It happened around 5:30 p.m. at Enterprise Iron and Metal near Alpine Ave. and Ann Street.

Viewer David Gray says workers at the yard were pushing a pile of scrap metal when something exploded and caught fire.

Firefighters say the smoke came from the trash mixed in with the metal. The fire was out within 20 minutes..

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)-Summer is starting early at John Ball Zoo, which opened two more seasonal exhibits Saturday.

Visitors can now check out the sting rays and the Far Side of the World Trail, which includes wallabies, lemurs and exotic birds.

The zoo's new gift shop also opened Saturday. Gifts of the Wild is four times larger than the zoo's former store, and it features some unusual, eco-friendly items.

"We have a special kind of stationary that's made out of elephant poop. So we are definitely recycling here at the zoo," Gift Manager Theresa Danneffel says with a laugh.

On June 1, the zoo will begin unveiling its final additions, including the Idema Forest Realm and the Funicular sky trolley.