By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Starting today, Dec. 2, join the Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo for the first three Fridays and Saturdays of December for the seventh annual Nights Before Christmas light show.
“Nights Before Christmas is a fundraiser for Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo, it's one of our largest fundraisers,” Nicole Mantz, Director of Hutchinson Zoo, said. “Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo is our nonprofit arm, and they support the zoo, both in our regular operations and in creating new and improved areas here at the zoo.”
According to Mantz, in the past, the Nights Before Christmas event has received as much as $5,000 to $7,000.
“Those funds go towards the daily operations of [Hutchinson] Friends of the Zoo and the improvements,” Mantz said.
Mantz said this is Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo’s largest fundraiser and the Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo are taking a different approach to this year’s Nights Before Christmas.
“We have lights throughout the zoo, so we have a walk-through light show this year,” Mantz said. “In the past it’s been just a light show set to music, that you just stand and watch and listen to the music. Now you’ll get to walk through the experience and be a part of it, as you listen to the music.”
Along with the Hutchinson Zoo’s light display, other lights are provided by other local nonprofit groups.
Taking the cold into account, there will be a heated portion of the zoo that will allow people to sit with their refreshments.
The Blue Dragons of SkillsUSA and Hutchinson Community College have digitally enhanced some of the Hutchinson Zoo’s areas to help exceed expectations with extraordinary displays.
“Our Nature Play area will be previewing again, and so there’s some Christmas lights out there,” Mantz said. “And then of course the train. You’ll be able to ride the train . . . and we have some kind of stories and animals getting ready for Christmas as you ride the train that you get to see.”
Following the light show, cookies and cocoa will be available while people wait with their children to visit Santa Claus.
Cost of entry to the event throughout December is $10 per person, and family packs are available. Family packs are $30 for four individuals. Tickets are buy three, get one free.
Tickets can be purchased the day of and online on the Hutchinson Zoo’s website.
Tickets are non-refundable and must be provided at the gate to ensure entry.
People can pick any day to attend from Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, and Dec. 16-17.
Tickets include access to the light show, refreshments, pictures with Santa, and the holiday train ride.
Donations are always welcome. Volunteers will be present to collect cash donations each night.
People can donate on the Hutchinson Zoo’s website as well.
“We just really want to provide something for the city of Hutchinson to bring out their family members and have a good time,” Mantz said. “You get to see Santa, have hot cocoa and cookies, and spend time together, get to see the animals in a different light, and enjoy the festivities of Christmas.”
The Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo seventh annual Nights Before Christmas will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on those evenings.
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