The meerkat mob is taking over John Ball Zoo this weekend as part of Meerkat Mania, a three-day animal conservation celebration.

Meerkat Mania will feature live music, animal activities and specialty food while highlighting the meerkats in their state-of-the-art habitat. Events take place 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 4 and are sponsored by Michigan First Credit Union.

“We are excited to showcase our adorable meerkats with fun, educational activities people of all ages can enjoy,” said Mariah Malone, events coordinator at John Ball Zoo. “Meerkat Mania makes a perfect Labor Day weekend activity for the whole family.”

Each day, attendees can see an exciting steel drum performance from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and listen to story time with Circle Theatre at 11 a.m.

Saturday features a performance by local musician Caitlin Cusack at 3:30 p.m. Mama’s Hot Sauce, a cover band performing a mix of rockabilly, blues and rock will take the stage on Sunday at 12 p.m., followed by Caribbean music group Roots Vibrations at 3:30 p.m. Labor Day attendees will enjoy local classic rock band Rusty & the Razorblades at 12 p.m., and singer-songwriter Olivia Vargas at 3:30 p.m.

Meerkat Mania highlights the conservation and sustainability mission at John Ball Zoo. The mission works to inspire the community to be engaged in wildlife conservation through fun and meaningful educational experiences.

The meerkat habitat showcases the best of John Ball Zoo’s high standards on sustainability. It was the first zoo habitat in the world to be awarded a Sustainable SITES initiative certification and first SITES gold certification of any business in the state of Michigan.

Tickets for Meerkat Mania can be purchased online or at the Zoo.