FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Friday marks the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo's 50th birthday, Wednesday, hundreds participated in a birthday party. 

Throughout the day, zoo-goers will have a chance to reflect on the park's history. Officials say it all started with school children who donated pennies to build Monkey Island back in 1965, and since then, thousands of families and businesses have donated funds to create everything you see at the zoo.

Over 20 million people have visited the zoo since it opened July 3,1965, and more than $32 million has been donated for projects.