Seattle - Woodland Park Zoo’s long list of awards has expanded to a new category. Its summer concert series, ZooTunes, promoted by Cameron Clark Concert Productions, recently won a 1997 King County Event Producers Award (KEPA), Best Special Event in the $125,000-$250,000 category.

ZooTunes faced competition from SEAFAIR’s Torchlight Parade and The Seattle Aquarium’s Salmon Homecoming Celebration.

Held in the zoo’s North Meadow, the zoo’s 14th annual concert series featured such high-caliber acts as: Roberta Flack, Spyro Gyra, Kim Carnes and Nicolette Larson, Kenny Rankin, Keb’ Mo’, Stanley Jordan and Rosanne Cash.

"ZooTunes creates an opportunity for Woodland Park Zoo to reach audiences that may not otherwise visit the zoo," said David Wheeler, marketing and promotions manager of the Woodland Park Zoo Society. "Once people are here for the first time, they are more apt to return and see the entire zoo."

Wheeler added that the success of the concert series, "wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community or the generosity of our sponsors."

KEPAs are awarded to communicate the value of sports and special events to the city, county and state government, the media and the community. According to Keith Reiner, general manager, Pepsi-Cola Company and chair, KEPA III, "Events are one of the key reasons why our community consistently ranks among the ‘Most Livable Cities in America.’ Events add to the region’s overall quality of life, bring economic benefit and increase visibility for our community."