Frog kissing remains optional, but the Santa Barbara Zoo will celebrate with its popular Princess Weekend despite a schedule change due to temporary closures of Cabrillo Boulevard. 

At the event on March 23-24, “girls of royal birth” don tiaras, step into their glass slippers, and wear their finest sparkly ball gowns.

However, the event is also designed to bring attention to the world’s many frogs, toads, and other amphibians that face possible extinction.

Princess Weekend is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24. Zoo members are allowed early admission at 9 a.m.

Costumed boys are also welcome, whether they are dressed as knights, princes, cowboys, pirates or astronauts. 

Princess Weekend features a “Kiss a Frog” booth, face painting, bounce house, crafts and more, all with a princess theme. 

Princesses such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, along with mermaids, fairies, and other fairytale characters, will be present. A princess will lead Story Time, and the zoo’s popular live show, featuring Duncan the T. Rex and his friends, is princess themed. Guests can also learn about and join FrogWatch USA, in which “citizen scientists” are trained to identify and count frogs and toads in local wetlands, creeks or other habitats. The commitment is just three minutes twice a week. (www.sbzoo.org/frogwatch-usa/).

The event is free with standard zoo admission: $18 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, and $11 for children 2-12 years old. Parking is $11. For more information, visit www.sbzoo.org.

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