A sparkling wonderland

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This article was published 16/12/2019 (2301 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Assiniboine Park Zoo has been transformed into a glittering holiday wonderland and Manitobans are flocking to see the makeover.

The west side of the zoo has been covered in Christmas lights and has been jam-packed with events and entertainment since Nov. 30.

About 10,000 people visited the Zoo Lights Festival in its opening week. Organizers hope to welcome 50,000 to 60,000 visitors by the time the event wraps up on Jan. 5: that’s seven to eight times the number of people who normally visit the zoo over that time period.

On average, fewer than 7,000 people visit the zoo in December and about 7,500 visit in January.

“We’re always looking for new ways to engage with visitors,” said Laura Cabak, the manager of communications at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “This is a natural time of year for people to get together and celebrate. That’s exactly what we’re seeing, so that’s really gratifying.”

Cabak said she’s been told there are about one million lights at the zoo. Coloured bulbs wrap around trees; one tree resembles the Canadian flag, with lights timed to look like fireworks going off.

There are zoo-specific light exhibits: “Norm” the polar bear greets people as they enter the zoo, and a bison stands guard in the distance. There are pelicans, beluga whales, owls and fish represented in Christmas lights, and a luminescent sign reading “Wpg Zoo” covers a train car.

The butterfly garden has been converted into a lovers lane, with at least four people proposing marriage there in the first week.

The zoo worked with Lights Unlimited, a Winnipeg company, to decorate the space. Some of the light fixtures were made specially for the festival, Cabak said.

Organizers have booked more than 400 entertainers and most are from Manitoba, Cabak said. Mama Cutsworth, Erin Propp and the Asham Stompers will perform, among others.

“Some of these local musicians, folks that might not normally go out and get to see these bands, they have a chance here,” Cabak said.

There are light-up minigolf holes, a Third + Bird market and nightly Indigenous programming, including storytelling in a teepee. On Saturday nights, the Tundra Grill turns into a party zone — some of the tables are cleared, there’s a bar and a DJ plays music.

Santa Claus is at the festival daily before Christmas. People may see animals, but it isn’t likely, Cabak said.

Organizers started talking about doing a holiday season zoo event two years ago. They went to Calgary’s holiday event and looked at other zoos and light shows for inspiration.

Staff hammered out the festival details last year and started stringing lights at the end of August.

The zoo plans to make the festival an annual tradition.

As many as 80 people volunteer at the festival each day.

“I thought, why not? I’m retired now, so I have the time,” said Esther Bedard, who volunteered at the festival three times. “I never do anything in the winter.”

Festival attendees said they liked a reason to get outside.

“It’s interesting that they’re trying different things to get people out,” Morgan Stirling said. “Go out, spend time with your family.”

Anika Southam took her children on Thursday. “I just like all the lights,” Southam said. “It’s just pretty, gets us in the Christmas spirit.”

Tickets can be bought online and at Red River Co-op locations for $12. Tickets are available at the door for $15.

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca