WEST ORANGE, NJ — On Friday, Nov. 17, the Fleming-Kendrick family from Newark became the 795,559th visitors to Turtle Back Zoo during 2017. This breaks the annual attendance record set last year and is the 13th consecutive year that a new annual attendance record has been established. Then, just one week later, the Penn family from Middletown became the 800,000th visitors to the zoo.
“We have made tremendous improvements to Turtle Back Zoo and the large turnout of visitors each year shows how popular our zoo has become,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “We would not be here without the continuing support of our loyal visitors, sponsors, volunteers and staff. We look forward to seeing everyone next year for even more adventures, excitement and family fun.”
Shortly before 6 p.m., Melva Fleming and Stafon Kendrick and their children, Myles Fleming and Makenzie Kendrick, arrived to view the Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular and helped Turtle Back Zoo reach a new attendance milestone. Melva Fleming said she and her husband returned home from work and were debating about whether to visit the Holiday Lights Spectacular that night.
“I’m glad we came tonight. I’ve never won anything in my life,” she said, adding that her family visits the zoo during the year and has come to see the lights every winter.
In recognition of the milestone, DiVincenzo presented the Fleming-Kendrick family with a gift basket filled with toys, stuffed animals and merchandise from Turtle Back Zoo, along with a one-year membership to the Essex County Zoological Society.
The previous attendance record was 795,558 set last year. A new annual attendance record has been set every year since 2005.
On Friday, Nov. 24, the Penn family — Vincent and Heather Penn and their children Ashley, 7, and Britney, 5 — became the 800,000th visitors to Turtle Back Zoo during 2017. The 500,000 milestone was first reached in 2010, 600,000 was first reached in 2013 and 700,000 was first reached in 2015.
Photos Courtesy of Essex County
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