Monday, November 17, 2008

Lights At The Zoo

Zoo: Last year for Festival of Lights at Wild Animal Park

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Zoo says this year will be the last for the Festival of Lights holiday display at the Wild Animal Park near Escondido.

Next year, the 20-year-old event will be moved to the zoo's main Balboa Park property to make it convenient for more people, said spokeswoman Christina Simmons.

“We just recognized that particularly in the evening hours in the winter, the zoo is more accessible to more folks,” she said.

The festival consists of lighted sculptures in animal and holiday themes. The park also brings in snow for children's play. The park, usually open at night only during the summer, has extended hours during the festival.

Zoo officials don't know yet if the format will change when the event moves to Balboa Park. But they do have a new name: “ Jungle Bells.”

The Festival of Lights, which is free with Wild Animal Park admission, runs from Dec. 13 to 23; Dec. 26 to 30; and Jan. 2 and 3.

For information, call (760) 796-5615 or go to sandiegozoo.org.

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