Emporia residents are invited to the David Traylor Zoo Tuesday for two local holiday traditions.
The annual Happy Holidaze lighting ceremony will be taking place once the sun goes down Tuesday evening. Zoo Director Lisa Keith says it will be a fun and festive evening.
Once the switch is flipped, the lights will remain on daily from 6 pm to midnight through the end of the year. Keith says the exact footage of lights is still to be determined, however, she estimates it could be right around 20,000.
65 percent of the lights displayed will be LED lights. Keith says there will be no additional LEDs added this year as the zoo has been working each year to slowly convert the majority of its traditional incandescent lights to LEDs.
Ahead of the annual lighting ceremony, residents are asked to embrace the spirit of giving which is synonymous with the holiday season and support the annual Emporia Police Benefit Association Toy Drive. EPD Deputy Chief Kevin Risley says they’re very excited for the partnership with the zoo.
The Benefit Association is asking for donations of new, unwrapped toys Tuesday. For more information find Emporia Zoo on Facebook or visit EmporiaZoo.org.
