Carousel house welcome

If happiness is perspective, the soaring view from atop a father’s shoulders is a wonderful way to think of the world.  Like many fortunate children, it was a first memory from Turtle Back Zoo where it is a joy to see such memories made today at events like Holiday Light Spectacular.

View from Savanna Cafe deck on another visit

The light display is free, as is the parking, and open to the public.  From the time one turns onto Northfield Avenue and sees the dazzling lights along the South Mountain Recreation Complex entrance, it is clear that it will be quite a show.  At the actual zoo entrance, a cheerful costumed Frosty the Snowman and Turtle greet visitors as the carols regale from loudspeakers.  The first sign you will see, however, is the invitation to stop at the green tent to make a donation of canned or boxed food, unwrapped toys, or gently used coats to the Community Food Bank.

Endangered species carousel in carousel house

The zoo is immediately festive and fun with a menorah and Kwanzaa kinara ready to add to the celebration.  Some animals are on view like the barn pets, and the train and carousel also charm for free.  Pony rides are available for $2.00.  Photo stations with themes from Peanuts to polar bears to penguins to How the Grinch Stole Christmas throughout the zoo are ideal for creating holiday cards or Snap Chatting (with the Mom & Dad filter), added holiday features.  S’more stations ($4.50 for a kit) at the new Savanna Café gave a ski lodge.  This is a delightful way to start the season.

Follow the leader on the boa and s’mores fire pits

What was different this year was the crowd.  The visitors are always in good spirits, the staff, always welcoming.  When we went to the zoo as children, we fed the deer, admired the wandering peacocks, played with the turtles, rode on the children’s train (whose whistle still thrills), and ate sandwiches at the wooden picnic tables.  We thought it out-of-this-world fun.  All of those things are still there and, impressively, more like the African Adventure, Outback Aviary, Treetop Adventure Course, and Mini Golf, but Friday night’s mood of the visitors, the friendliness and quiet joy around the s’mores fire pits, reminded me of the zoo of years ago.  It was a happiness infused with gratitude.  People were taking photos, but enjoying each other’s company even more, sparked by the delight that the animals bring.

Taking care at Turtle Back Zoo

Princeton’s Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote a beautiful song “Bells Are Ringing” from Come Darkness, Come Light about the essence of Christmas, and though the happy, flickering lights and the holly-jolly are at Holiday Light Spectacular in abundance, the underlying spirit of Christmas is at the zoo more so this year.

Some visitor notes: The winter hours are 10-3:30 daily, and stroller rental ($7) is available during hours.  The zoo is wheelchair accessible.  The grounds are hilly, so bring good walking shoes.  (Lunch hour walkers have been onto this great aspect for years.)  Now it is safer to let the zookeepers feed the animals. If you want to visit the zoo before the light show, you can ice skate at Codey Arena or have a bite until the show starts at 5 at wonderful places in the area.  For more on the zoo and events, visit Turtle Back Zoo and South Mountain Recreation Complex.

Thank you to the zoo for another dazzling Holiday Light Spectacular and hope to visit again before it ends on January 1st!

All Rights Reserved © 2017 Kathleen Helen Levey