WEST ORANGE, NJ — Essex County invites the public to spend part of their holiday season at the 11th annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo. Free admission is being offered at spectacular, which runs from 5 to 9 p.m. The spectacular will be each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night through Dec. 3, and then daily from Friday, Dec. 8, through Monday, Jan. 1; the spectacular will, however, be closed Dec. 24 and 25.
Approximately 50 animal and holiday-themed figures will light up the winter night in Turtle Back Zoo and the surrounding South Mountain Recreation Complex. More than one million lights will illuminate figures of bears, tigers and elephants, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Several animal exhibits will be open as well.
Myrtle the Turtle, the mascot of Turtle Back Zoo, and several other winter friends will be on hand to greet visitors at the zoo. In addition, special activities have been scheduled as follows:
- An ice carver will create a masterpiece on the amphitheater stage on Fridays, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22;
- The most popular man of the season, Santa Claus, will visit Turtle Back Zoo on Saturdays, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; Sundays, Nov. 26 and Dec.3 and 10; and every night from Saturday, Dec. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 23; and
- Ms. Claus will read popular holiday stories on Fridays, Dec. 15 and 22, at 6 and 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 16, 17 and 23, at 3:30, 6 and 7 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 18, through Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m.; there is an additional charge for this program.
Themed weekends: Costumed characters will join Myrtle to greet, mingle and take pictures with guests at themed weekends. Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes to match the weekend’s theme. The weekend of Dec. 1 will be Classic Holiday Weekend; the weekend of Dec. 8 will be Superhero Weekend; and the weekend of Dec. 15 will be Royal Princess Weekend.
Admission is free. The zoo is collecting non-perishable food items; new, unwrapped toys; and new or gently used winter coats. Items will be donated to several organizations that provide assistance to the needy. Last year, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, approximately 18 tons of non-perishable food, 3,600 toys and 4,600 winter coats were collected for the less fortunate.
Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call Turtle Back Zoo at 973-731-5800 or visit www.essexcountynj.org.
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