YouTube video

WILLYFEST 2020

March 2, 2020 by Anthony -

Share with your friends!

I’ve finally posted the video showing the highlights from Willyfest 2020!

Thank you all for helping to make Willy B’s birthday so special. Most importantly, thank you all for helping him to have a secure retirement in an enriching sanctuary home!

20 Comments

  1. Avatar Rosy on March 2, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Love this! Happy Birthday Willy! Thank you to all the amazing caregivers!



  2. Avatar CeeCee on March 2, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    YAY for Willy B !
    What a great video, loved the music, thanks for sharing,
    And for taking such special care of all, I love seeing the chimps interacting with each other,
    and with all the wonderful caregivers too.
    are Willyfest 2021 tix available yet ? 🙂



    • Avatar Linda C on March 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm

      Lol, already sold out! Stomping room only!



  3. Avatar Elaine Reininger on March 2, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    You folks give the best parties. The slinky decorations made the rooms look so festive and the party snacks seemed to be a big hit too. Hope all you caretakers are well during this terrible corona stuff. Stay well, so many chimps and folks need you



  4. Avatar Linda C on March 2, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    Perfect timing! Dinner with the chimps! (Whole wheat pasta and salad on this end)
    I knew in a heartbeat that music would change up….and for a split second, I thought we’d have “guac cam”!
    They don’t seem to get as revved at mealtimes as the original 7, do they? Maybe it’s just cause the 7 had all of those years of chow only…
    But hey, we know what to make for Mave’s birthday now, right!?
    Thanks for the party video, we haven’t had one in a while!



    • Avatar Anthony on March 3, 2020 at 11:52 am

      Hey Linda! I think the seven residents in the first group are familiar with celebrations and get excited when they see unusual food being prepared. The new three are generally more skeptical about foods they don’t recognize. Their favorite foods are fresh fruits and lettuce, and they get animatedly excited when they see caregivers bringing those for meals.



  5. Avatar Kathleen on March 2, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    That was over the top — video, music, entire celebration!! Your birthday bashes never disappoint. I am still chuckling. Oh Mave, one minute she’s kicking back and relaxing and the next she’s diving into her guacamole boat with joy and gusto. Who doesn’t love guacamole?! After the first taste/bite it looks as if Chad’s culinary skills were much appreciated by all. Willy Feast was a whopping success, thanks for sharing all the highlights!

    I often state how much I love the chimps, and I do, but I need to be sure you know how much I love all of you. The creativity, energy, hard work and play, personal touches, and passion that you bring to the sanctuary is mind blowing. Thank you for introducing them to new wonders and for enriching their lives in the process.



  6. Avatar Tobin on March 2, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    Some say that March comes in like a lion, but, having witnessed the first annual Willypalooza, I’d have to say that it comes in like the gorilla-chimpanzee* hybrid like the birthday boy. I wish Willy B a happy new year of life.

    (*Yeah, yeah, I know that his surname is Chimpanzee, but, sometimes I speculate about Willy B’s pedigree.
    Given his size and appetite, he could certainly pass for a gorilla.)



  7. Avatar Karen on March 2, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    The music drove me nuts.



    • Avatar Linda C on March 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm

      In a good way? Or a bad way? 😀



  8. Avatar Marcie on March 2, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    Boy you guys know how to throw a party, looks like everyone was enjoying the guac, how clever of you. Everything was great for the first Willyfest, music, decorations, food and the Rockstar running around with Mave just chilling. Definitely a California vibe going on there. Can you tell I always love seeing the chimps just enjoying themselves?



  9. Avatar Rick Ottenstein on March 2, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    Great job on the video. Sue and I really miss all of the chimps and all of you. You all did an awesome job celebrating Willy B’s birthday.



    • Avatar Anthony on March 3, 2020 at 11:58 am

      Thanks, Rick! We hope you are both doing well.



  10. Avatar Jo Lathrop on March 2, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    The caregivers are a smash too!! Love and hugs to you all…



  11. Betsy on March 2, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Epic. Totally epic. \m/



  12. Avatar Arlene and Michael on March 2, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Great video. Love how you changed up the music lol What a fantastic party. You guys rock. So glad that Willy B enjoyed his special day. So happy they all got in on the fun and good food. That guac looks so delicious. Yum! Thank you for all that you do.



  13. Avatar Diane DePoe on March 3, 2020 at 1:26 am

    Willyfest 2020 looked amazing! Thank you for the great video and the music. I enjoyed every moment!



  14. Avatar Judy on March 3, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    FANTASTIC… what a day… music and video were most excellent.. What a lucky group they all are .. as are all the people who spend time with them.. or just watch from afar… Smiles all around!



  15. Avatar Linda C on March 3, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    Oohh..next time you feel like spoiling them with something warm…or next party…
    1 bag of mini peppers, cut in half and seeded (20 peppers).
    1.5 C refried beans (Amy’s organics does a low sodium)
    1C salsa.
    Mix beans and salsa, fill peppers, bake at 350 for about 15 min (maybe top with soy cheese?)
    You could shred lettuce and chop tomatoes for toppings after they come out of the oven. Sans cheese, two pieces=26 calories.



  16. Avatar Jordan Bower on March 11, 2020 at 10:46 am

    First of all, before I even saw who posted this blog…when I heard the music I knew (somehow) that it was Anthony. The soundtrack was perfect and the beginning with Willy B. staring at the camera (I am assuming it was Willy B…..) was PERFECT. Looks like the even was a huge success. Thank you caregivers for all that you do for the sanctuary residents!



Subscribe to the Blog and
Get Notified of New Posts First!

If you like what see, be sure to subscribe. Personally written by the caregivers themselves, 365 days a year, you’ll get an insiders glimpse of all the goings on at the sanctuary. Follow us!