Hear Us Roar! Celebrating Disability Pride | Get Your Tickets Today
About this Event
Hear Us Roar 2026 🦁
This is your day.
Join people with disabilities, self-advocates, families, and allies from across Iowa for a day built around community, inclusion, fun, and celebrating who you are.
Explore the zoo, make new friends, connect with organizations and opportunities, and enjoy experiences designed to help everyone feel welcome and included.
Your day includes:
✨ FREE giraffe and parakeet feedings
🚂 Train rides and zoo adventures
🐐 Petting zoo experiences
🍦 Ice Cream Social
🎨 Wear Your Roar Challenge + Arc swag
🤝 Community activities, connections, and resources
Upgrade to the Big Roar Experience Pass to enjoy lunch from Triple B.
Come as you are. Wear your roar. Meet your community.
Because disability is part of what makes our communities stronger.
Get your tickets today — we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Disability Rights are Human Rights.
Day of Activities
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Volunteer Check In.
Info: Volunteers should arrive by 8:30 a.m. and enter through the main zoo entrance. Check-in will be located just inside the main entrance doors straight ahead. Volunteers will receive event assignments, materials, and final instructions before helping welcome guests and prepare for the day’s activities.
🕑: 09:00 AM
Doors Open/Welcome to Hear Us Roar
Info: Welcome to Hear Us Roar! Upon arrival, please check in and receive your event wristband. After check-in, head immediately to the Welcome Center located to the right inside the zoo entrance to learn about the day’s activities, pick up event information, and get oriented before beginning your zoo adventure.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Creature Features
Info: Start your morning with up-close animal experiences and interactive fun throughout the zoo. Catch Creature Feature at Critter Corner, join Penguin Chat, enjoy FREE giraffe & parakeet feeding, discover wildlife at Discover the Wild, or watch Stingray Training in action.
Need a break? Visit the Cooling & Quiet Zone from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM in the Wecome Center.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Youth Leadership Academy Graduation Ceremony
Info: Celebrate and recognize Iowa’s next generation of disability leaders in the event center near the new lion exhibit.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Community Lunch (The Big Roar Experience Pass required)
Info: Take a break, gather together, and enjoy lunch served by Triple B. Lunch is included for guests who selected The Big Roar Experience Pass during registration. This is a great opportunity to connect with friends, celebrate Youth Leadership Academy graduates, meet advocacy partners, and recharge before afternoon activities begin.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Afternoon Animal Experiences
Info: Spend the afternoon discovering even more up-close animal experiences across the zoo. Meet keepers during Japanese Macaque, Okapi, Penguin, Shark, and Flamingo chats, catch Creature Feature at Critter Corner, watch Lemur and Giraffe training, or enjoy one more opportunity for FREE giraffe feeding.
There’s something new around every corner — check the schedule and map to build your perfect Hear Us Roar adventure.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Wear Your Roar Showcase & Celebration | Event Center
Info: Show us your roar! Before the event, attendees are invited to create and wear a custom hat or wearable design inspired by Disability Pride, advocacy, animals, leadership, community, or what makes YOU roar.
Beginning at 2:00 p.m., participants are invited to gather at the Event Center near the Lion Pavilion to show off their creations, meet other designers, and celebrate creativity and self-expression.
All participants will receive a small thank-you gift from The Arc of Iowa (while supplies last) and will be entered for a chance to win community-sponsored prizes including:
$100 Hy-Vee Gift Card,
️ $50 Triple B Gift Card,
Amazon Echo,
Arc of Iowa swag and surprise giveaways.
Guests are encouraged to cheer on participants and celebrate the many ways our community expresses pride, leadership, and belonging.
Winners and recognitions will be announced during the celebration.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
FREE Ice Cream Social | Event Center
Info: Come to the Event Center and join us as we wrap up Hear Us Roar with a sweet celebration together! All attendees are invited to enjoy a FREE Ice Cream Social while connecting with friends, celebrating Youth Leadership Academy graduates, and sharing favorite moments from the day.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 15.00
