The Joliet Junior College Office of Student Activities hosted its annual Spring Fling Animal Show and Meet-and-Greet on March 4. The event took place on the H-center bridge on the JJC main campus. The Office of Student Activities provided snacks and t-shirts for students in attendance. The animal show meet-and-greet offered students the opportunity to interact face to face with a wide range of animals brought in for the event. This year’s event featured several different animals with a huge variety of small mammals to larger exotic species, some of which included a bat, a fox, an armadillo and sloth. Students got to learn more about the animals and at the end of the event some even got to interact and take a picture with Rico the two-toed sloth.
The animals were brought in by Incredible Bats, a company that promotes animal education across the Midwest. Since being established in 1996, the goal of the company has been to inform people of the many benefits of bats and other animals. The event ran from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. with slightly extended hours due to the popularity of the animals and how many people wanted to see them. The show began with a 45-minute educational presentation from the staff and was followed by an additional interactive opportunity for students to meet and take pictures with some of the animals. Students were able to walk through the exhibit and pet some of the animals while learning more about them from the educators.
The event was popular among students and staff and brought many people in to see the animals and learn more about them. There was a steady crowd throughout the show of curious and excited participants. Many stayed for the chance to pet and interact with the animals and for the chance to learn more from the staff and adorable take pictures.
“The turnout is always great, and the students love animals and the OSA staff really love the animals too and enjoy seeing the student’s enjoying the events like this one,” said Office of Student Activities Administrative Assistant Chris Ulreich.
For many attendees, the experience can be a nice break in the academic semester and a chance to socialize with other students.
“I really enjoyed this event, and the animals were so cute. Being able to go up and see the sloth up close was such a fun experience as well,” said a JJC attendee.
