Once again the David Traylor Zoo is beaming brightly in downtown Emporia following the annual Happy Holidaze lighting ceremony Tuesday evening.
Over 10,000 feet of lights strung throughout the zoo were officially switched on by the John and Jill Newland family who purchase the right during the zoo’s annual Roundup Auction back in March. John Newland says Happy Holidaze is a part of “what makes Emporia, Emporia.”
The Newland’s three children, Grace, Tate and Paige, did the honors Tuesday evening. Prior to flipping the switch, the Newland kids all shared some of their favorite memories of the annual holiday event.
Grace says each year the ceremony takes her back to her early childhood.
Paige says she always looks forward to the decorations.
The same goes for Tate.
Jill says lighting up the zoo was like a dream come true for their kids.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony had to go virtual and was streamed to the public on KVOE-TV at KVOE.com with no individuals, other than the Newlands, allowed to attend. Despite the adjustment Zoo Director Lisa Keith was extremely pleased with the evening’s festivities.
She feels having the ceremony still take place will help to bring a little bit of normalcy to what has already been a less than normal Holiday season.
The lights will now remain on daily from 6 pm to midnight through the end of the year.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
{gallery}2020 Happy Holidaze{/gallery}
