Bluegrass music is being organized by True Friends throughout the weekend. contributed

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Volunteer Teal Lepley stands by with Skylar, a Triton cockatoo. Noah's Landing volunteers will be stationed around the farm to talk about the animals and encourage interaction.

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"Winky," a Geoffrey's marmoset, is one of the new animals that the zoo has added this year.

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This Labor Day weekend, Noah’s Landing will offer all the ingredients of a locally flavored summer celebration. With an exotic twist, of course.

On September 1-2, the non-profit children’s zoo will host its fourth annual “Blue & ‘Cue at the Zoo.” The family-friendly event features local barbecue, local bluegrass music, and an opportunity to get face to face with the zoo’s 60 species of animals, including an alligator, capuchin monkey, and coatimundi.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Barbecue plates from Stephenson’s Barbecue will be on sale from 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

“Blue & ‘Cue at the Zoo is always one of our favorite events,” says Noah’s Landing Director Dora Turner. “We can introduce people to new animals from all over the world while celebrating the culture in our own backyard.”

Visitors will also get an up-close look at owls and raptors from the Wildlife Rescue Center in Sanford, as well as insects and creepy crawlies from the N.C. State University Entomology Club.

Kids will have the chance to make musical instruments from recycled materials and create “Handimal” paintings using their handprints.

Music throughout the weekend is being organized by “True Friends,” a group of local bluegrass musicians.

During the event, zoo volunteers will be stationed throughout the farm to handle animals and talk with visitors. Staff will host hourly meet and greet sessions with special critters like “Wally” the alligator. Kids will get a chance to feed carrots to the zebra, donkeys, llamas, and yak. For repeat visitors, new animals will include a young fennec fox and sugar gliders.

Admission for the event is $8 per person. Barbecue plates will be on sale for $8.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the animals and programs at Noah’s Landing, a non-profit facility located in Coats, NC. In addition to special events, the farm offers interactive field trips, guided tours, a summer “Junior Zookeeper” program, and birthday parties. For more details, visit: http://www.noahslanding2x2.com.

Blue & ‘Cue at the Zoo

September 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 2: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $8/person

BBQ Plates: $8/person (From Stephenson’s Barbecue)