Free Holiday Lights Return To N.J. Turtle Back Zoo: 2016 Events

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — One of Essex County’s favorite wintertime activities is returning to the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange for 2017… the annual Holiday Lights Spectacular.

The zoo will kick off the free event on Friday, Nov. 18, which will continue on several dates until Tuesday, Jan. 3.

About 50 animal and holiday-themed figures will light up the winter night in Turtle Back Zoo and the surrounding Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. The display includes more than 100,000 lights shaped to look like bears, tigers and elephants, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. In addition, several animal exhibits will be open, including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Tropical Currents Aquarium and the Reptile Building.

Myrtle the Turtle - the mascot of Turtle Back Zoo - and several of his winter friends will be on hand to greet visitors at the zoo, officials said.

The Holiday Lights Spectacular will be held on the following days from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex and Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange:

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 2, 3 and 4
• Daily from Friday, December 9 to Tuesday, January 3

The Holiday Lights Spectacular will be closed on December 24 and 25.

In addition, the following themed weekends have been scheduled:

• November 18, 19 and 20 – Super Hero Celebration
• November 25, 26 and 27 – A Royal Holiday
• December 2, 3 and 4 – A Frozen Princess Ball
• December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 – The Dark Side Weekends

Admission to the event is free, but the zoo is collecting non-perishable food items; new, unwrapped toys; and new or gently used winter coats. Items will be donated to several organizations that provide assistance to the needy, county officials stated.

Last year, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, about 25 tons of non-perishable food, 15,480 toys and 6,280 winter coats were collected, county officials said.

The Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is sponsored by PSE&G, Covanta Energy, the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Essex County Parks Foundation. Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

For more information, call Essex County Turtle Back Zoo at 973-731-5800, or visit www.essexcountynj.org.

Patch File Photo: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

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