BIG NEWS! Five Southwest Institutions to Offer Free Admission for Members in May

Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange Program launches 2nd annual event

The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan is joining forces with four other local institutions and will be offering free admission throughout the month of May to all members of each participating organization. The Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center and Kalamazoo Institute of Arts are partnering for a second year as part of the Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange, a program designed to celebrate our region’s cultural richness and introduce organization members to new experiences throughout Southwest Michigan. Representatives of the program believe that this area of Michigan is fortunate to have some of the best cultural organizations of their kind in the country, and each of these organizations is committed to providing the highest quality service to the public. As a cohesive group, the Cultural Exchange Program is thrilled to offer such a unique and diverse program to the Southwest Michigan community. “By partnering in the Cultural Exchange,” says Jay Follis, Director of Marketing at the Gilmore Car Museum, “we all feel that we can make each organization more accessible to a broader segment of our community.” Guests presenting their membership card from any of the five organizations will enjoy free admission to any participating venue May 1st – 31st. Please note that there may be additional costs for special activities or programs at each location. Activities throughout the month of May at participating organizations include: The Air Zoo airzoo.org Enjoy a 3D Space Shuttle Ride, the Century of Flight Ferris Wheel, a Corsair Challenge/Mission to Mars, Flight Simulators, the Montgolfier Balloon Race, a Paratrooper Jump and a Disc Golf Course. Binder Park Zoo binderparkzoo.org Connecting kids and families with animals and fun is what Binder Park Zoo is all about! A trip to the Zoo offers families a chance to experience a quality recreational experience while being surround by nature. Situated on 433 acres, Binder Park Zoo is not your typical Zoo and features a variety of rides and exhibits like the award-winning Wild Africa. In Wild Africa, guests go on safari through a 50-acre African national park; including an 18-acre savannah hosting herds of impala, zebra, antelope, gazelle, and ostrich, and Twiga Overlook where you can hand-feed one of the nation’s largest herds of giraffe! Upon your arrival back to the U.S., you are greeted by Mexican wolves, Chinese red pandas, kangaroos and a snow leopard! Don’t forget to stop by and see the three American black bears recently added to the Zoo. Gilmore Car Museum gilmorecarmuseum.org Open year-round, the Gilmore Car Museum features over 350 remarkable automobiles, displayed in over a dozen historic buildings including a 1930s Shell Station, a 1941 Silk City Diner, and replica car dealerships from a bygone era. Current special exhibits include: Favorites of the ‘50s and ‘60s, Brass and Nickle Era: Cars of the Automotive Pioneers, The Green Book, Classics of the 1930s, Tin Toy Cars of Yesteryear: From Realistic to Whimsical, and extended by popular demand, American Legends: Hot Rods & Customs, featuring the ‘Lil Deuce Coupe of Beach Boys fame! Members from other participating organizations are also welcome to join us for our season-opening car show, the “Dust Off,” which will feature personally owned automobiles proudly displayed across the Museum’s 90-acre Historic Campus! Kalamazoo Nature Center naturecenter.org Visit the beautiful Glen Vista Gallery to view the exhibition of Nature Seen through the Eyes of Artist Charley Harper. Explore 1,100 acres of varied habitat with 14 nature trails to choose from. Participate in weekly programs and activities such as Creature Features, Spring Wildflower Walks, Hands-on Gardening programs, and Birding hikes. Visit the farm animals, weekends in May. Full calendar at www.naturecenter.org. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts kiarts.org Enjoy our biennial garage sale May 29-30, and special weekend workshops in photography at the Air Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Binder Park Zoo. Exhibits on view include the annual High School Area Show, West Michigan Area Show, Chinese Folk Pottery, and Second Sight/insight ll, combining visual art and poetry by area writers. In addition, each organization is offering additional special activities during the month of May, including the Century of Flight Ferris Wheel at the Air Zoo, the Wild African Safari tour at the Binder Park Zoo, Favorites of the ‘50s and ‘60s at the Gilmore Car Museum, Nature Seen through the Eyes of Artist Charley Harper at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and special weekend workshops at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. To purchase an annual membership to the Gilmore Car Museum that will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the Cultural Exchange program, please call the Gilmore Car Museum’s Administrative Office at 269-671-5089 and visit www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org for a complete list of membership options. The Gilmore Car Museum, featuring over 350 antique, classic and collector cars and vintage motorcycles, is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and West Hickory Road.