Community holiday festival to benefit zoo's tiger home

A "Community Holiday Festival" at Clovis' Hillcrest Park Zoo Saturday will benefit the zoo, particularly the habitat belonging to Sooner, the zoo's tiger.

"Plans are for Sooner's enclosure to go to three-and-a-half to four times its present size," organizer Jessica Boisseau said.

A request for comment from Zoo Director Damian Lechner was not returned.

Saturday's event is in two locations at different times.

Boisseau describes the first part of the event as a "family friendly festival" at the zoo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"There'll be all sorts of stuff for the kids and families," Boisseau said. "Local vendors, food trucks, pet adoption, a scavenger hunt, face painting and Santa Claus will be there."

Admission is five dollars for adults and kids 6 and up, $1.50 for kids five and under," Boisseau said.

Boisseau said there is a 10% discount for buying tickets in advance by Dec. 9 by visiting the Facebook event page, "Celebrate Sooner!" Clovis' First Annual Holiday with Hillcrest."

The second part of the event is an adult celebration Saturday night at the Youth Recreation Building at Seventh and Sycamore streets.

"It's an adult event because alcohol will be served," Boisseau said. "Alcohol is being handled by Red Door Brewing Company."

Boisseau said the admission charge is $40 per person. The event includes a Taco Box fajita dinner, a silent auction, a DJ and dancing and the Citadel Cirque aerial dance performers.

"All funds go to expanding Sooner's enclosure," Boisseau said.

Boisseau said she hopes to make this an annual event.

This past summer Boisseau had a petition drive calling for improvements at the zoo.

"Damian [zoo director] is awesome. We've developed a wonderful relationship," Boisseau said of the rapport between herself, Lechner and the zoo staff. "We've gotten a lot of help in this event. A lot of support from city hall and the community. Everyone I've talked to has been really on board to help."

Boisseau has been working on efficient ways to collaborate with the community regarding the zoo.

"He's brought a fresh perspective to Hillcrest Park Zoo," Boisseau said.