Record 206,937 Visitors Attend Lights Before Christmas
A record 206,937 visitors attended the Toledo Zoo’s 2014 Lights Before Christmas, Nov. 14 – Dec. 31. This is the best attendance since the attraction opened in 1986, surpassing the previous 2012 record of 179,267 visitors.
One of the Zoo’s big Lights attractions was the new winter village, featuring live reindeer and an outdoor ice slide that coasted along the natural slope of the historic Amphitheatre. “We work hard to give Lights visitors exciting new experiences,” Jeff Sailer, executive director, said. “This year, the ice slide was especially popular, with more than 53,000 rides over six weeks.” Consistently mild weather through much of November and December also helped, he said.
An additional factor was downtown Toledo’s Winterfest, which kicked off on Dec. 26 and drew people to the city for family-friendly attractions. “The Zoo is proud to participate in Winterfest,” Sailer said. “It’s a terrific event that proves what Toledo can achieve when we all work together.”
Since 1986, the Lights Before Christmas has brought families together for dazzling Zoo lights, holiday treats and festive good cheer. The 2014 season kicked off on Friday, Nov. 14, with the ceremonial lighting of the Zoo’s 85-foot Norway spruce tree, which two organizations (Travelocity and Decoist) have named among the country’s best. Selected evenings featured carolers, ice carving, family activities and more.
KeyBank is the longtime presenting sponsor of the Lights Before Christmas. Taylor Automotive Family sponsored the new winter village activities.
The community has three more days to enjoy the Lights Before Christmas, with the Lights extended through Jan. 4, 2015, to coincide with Winterfest activities in downtown Toledo. Details are at toledozoo.org/lights.
Press Release Contact Name: Kandace York
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419.385.5721 ext. 2145
Organization Name: Toledo Zoo
Organization Address: Toledo, OH