Six-month-old Linh Mai splashes at bath time, screams for her bottle and runs ears-flapping through the Elephant Community Center. Starting Friday, Aug. 7, the Smithsonian's National Zoo wants Washington families to come celebrate her.

The zoo's free three-day EleFest runs Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, at 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, honoring World Elephant Day and the first elephant calf born at the zoo in nearly 25 years. Grounds are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with last entry at 5 p.m.

Linh Mai, whose name is Vietnamese for "Spirit Blossom," arrived at 1:15 a.m. on Feb. 2, weighing 308 pounds and standing 38.5 inches tall. Her mother is 12-year-old Nhi Linh; her father is Spike, a 44-year-old bull born at Zoo Miami in 1981. She made her public debut on Earth Day, April 22, after two months bonding with the herd behind the scenes.

"If we're not careful, Asian elephants could be extinct in our lifetime," elephant manager Robbie Clark told Smithsonian magazine in April. "I certainly don't want to see that. And I hope when people see her and how cute she is, that they feel the same way."

Clark and his team of keepers, veterinarians and nutritionists will be on hand throughout the weekend for meet-and-greets. Visitors can also personalize thank-you postcards to the elephant care staff.

Saturday, Aug. 8

The DC Public Library book truck parks at the Asia Trail sign outside the visitor center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for elephant-themed storytimes and activities, part of the library's Discover Summer initiative. At 12:30 p.m., the Somapa Thai Dance Group performs traditional Thai dance on Lion/Tiger Hill.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Chalk Riot leads a community chalk mural at the Great Meadow from 10 a.m. to noon. At 11 a.m., Vienna, Virginia-based Rhythmaya Dance Group performs South Indian dance on Lion/Tiger Hill, followed by a short workshop.

The Elephant Community Center closes at 3:30 p.m. Friday for the happy hour.

Hungry visitors can grab elephant-inspired treats throughout August: an elephant cookie from Dolci Gelati, Linh Mai's Trunkful of Treats mint chocolate chip ice cream from Dippin' Dots, or (for guests 21 and older) the Linh Mai Tai cocktail from Vintage Views.

Linh Mai is one of seven Asian elephants at the zoo, an endangered species with an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 remaining in the wild. The zoo is seeking $23 million in donations over five years to expand its elephant conservation program, according to the Georgetowner.

Coming up

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Madison Drive NW, hosts a World Elephant Day Play Date on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The drop-in program is designed for early learners and their families.