Zoo kicks off holiday event

With each exhibit decorated in shimmering colorful lights, Hillcrest Zoo looks to bring the holiday spirit to residents this week for Christmas at the Zoo.

Christmas at the Zoo is an annual event, in which Hillcrest Zoo goes through a “winter wonderland transformation” for a week. It started Tuesday and is set to run through Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night.

Zoo Director Stephanie Chavez said this was her first time being a part of the Christmas at the Zoo, but she knew within her recently appointed position she wanted to make it bigger and better than the previous 14 years.

“I’m very excited about our inflatables and the amount of lights we put up this year. We had some lights in storage, but I made sure we doubled it. Next year will even be bigger and it will continue to get bigger every year,” Chavez said.

With over 40,000 lights and 40 inflatables of reindeer, snowglobes and snowmen, residents will get to admire the festivities with a free cup of hot cocoa and free admission to the zoo. There will also be presents given to children on Thursday by ENMRSH, Inc.

“There will be a lot for everyone in the family to enjoy. Free hot cocoa, a lot of picture opportunities with the animals and decorations and there will be a Santa there as well,” Chavez said.

Chavez said the zoo has been getting a high volume of guests for each of its events and she’s expecting attendance in excess of 3,000 people for this one.

Residents won’t be the only creatures enjoying the festivities, with the colder weather and the change to the environment Chavez said the animals have also gotten a lot more lively for the holiday season.

“The animals see us putting up the lights and they seem a little more excited. Some of the animals such as the bears and the giraffe will be out to greet guests,” Chavez said.

Along with staff members, Chavez said volunteers from Cannon Air Force Base helped put the event together. She said she was grateful for their help and hope they can get more community assistance when the lights have to come down in January.

Chavez said it is important for the community to be a part of something bigger than their backyard and said she plans on expanding that view with the zoo.