The David Traylor Zoo is all lit up following the annual Happy Holidaze tree lighting ceremony Tuesday.
More than 20,000 feet of lights were flipped on by the Mitchell family. Rick and Colleen Mitchell won the opportunity during the annual roundup auction earlier this year and passed the duties on to their three grandchildren Eliza, Rowan and Remy.
Colleen Mitchell, who is no stranger to the zoo, says this is a first for their family and one they were happy to share with one another.
95 percent of the lights flipped on this year are now LEDs as opposed to incandescent lights. Zoo Director Lisa Keith says they have nearly reached their goal of transitioning to 100 percent LEDs.
She praised the zoo’s horticultural department for its work in that endeavor.
In addition to games, carols performed by the Emporia High School Chorale and the lighting ceremony itself, the Emporia Police Benefit Association also held its annual toy drive at the event for the second straight year. Emporia Police Cpt. Ray Mattas says it simply made sense to pair one of their largest charity events of the year with one of the largest community events of the year.
Donation totals are currently pending. The lights will remain on from 6 pm to midnight every night now until the end of the year.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
