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He's slow, he's steady, and he's officially older than the airplane, the Model T, and your great-great-grandmother's wedding photos. Jethro, our beloved Giant Aldabra Tortoise, is turning 119 years young and we are rolling out the red carpet (well, the green grass) to celebrate.
The party kicks off at 12:00 PM, with the main event with a giant watermelon birthday cake and a group sing-along of "Happy Birthday" at 12:30 PM sharp. (Pro tip: watermelon is Jethro's all-time favorite. He waits all year for this.)
🍉 A spectacular watermelon birthday cake crafted by our keepers
🎶 Live music to set the celebratory mood
🎁 Surprise guests stopping by to wish Jethro well
🎤 A community-wide sing-along - bring your voice, hit those high notes
📸 Photo opportunities with the birthday boy himself
Born in 1907, Jethro has lived through two world wars, the moon landing, the invention of the internet, and roughly 43,470 sunrises.
As a Giant Aldabra Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), he's part of one of the longest-living species on Earth and a true ambassador for his kind here at Leesburg Animal Park.
In tortoise years, Jethro is still very much in his prime. In human terms, he's old enough to remember when bread cost a nickel.
The birthday party is free with regular park admission, and no advance RSVP is required though we'd love to see you on the Facebook event page so we can plan enough cake (kidding —Jethro gets the whole thing).
🗓 Saturday, July 18, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (cake & singing at 12:30)
📍 Leesburg Animal Park · Jethro's home
Bring the kids. Bring the camera. Bring a song in your heart. Birthdays this big only come around once a century and you don't want to miss this one.
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Event Venue
19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA, United States, Virginia 20175
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