Holiday Lights At Turtle Back Zoo Canceled: 'New Wave Of Virus'

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The popular holiday lights celebration at the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County has been cancelled for 2020 due to a local spike in coronavirus cases.

Every year, the county-run zoo – which is located in West Orange – hosts an intricate light display that attracts tens of thousands of holiday revelers over several weeks. In the past, the celebration has also included visits with Santa Claus, train rides and costumed mascots.

But this year, it’s too risky to keep the tradition going, officials said.

As of Thursday, Essex County led the state in cumulative COVID-19 cases and deaths linked to the disease. The county has seen 28,872 cases and 1,932 confirmed deaths (see town-by-town totals below).

This year, the only holiday-themed light display will be located at the entrance to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo complex on Northfield Avenue. Motorists will be able to see the display as they drive by the complex, officials said.

The cancellation isn’t just a blow to those seeking some holiday joy. In past years, visitors to the holiday lights spectacular were asked to bring non-perishable food items to Turtle Back Zoo, which were donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. But since the event is cancelled, the food drive won’t be taking place in 2020.

Instead, officials encouraged residents to “think about the less fortunate” and make donations to their local food pantry or the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank Near Essex County

“Because of the pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Holiday Lights Spectacular,” said Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., who recovered from his own bout with the virus earlier this year.

“The lights show has become a much-anticipated holiday tradition for tens of thousands of people,” DiVincenzo said. “However, with the number of positive cases growing and a new wave of the virus upon us, we decided it was not in the best interest of public health to hold this year’s extravaganza.”

DiVincenzo wished residents a happy holiday season and asked that families “be thoughtful and cautious” if they gather to celebrate Thanksgiving and the upcoming winter holidays.

“We understand residents may be feeling fatigued by the pandemic, but we must continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, get tested regularly and wash our hands,” DiVincenzo said. “The lives we save will be those of our loved ones.”

Essex County offers free COVID-19 testing for Essex County residents. To register and for upcoming dates, please visit www.EssexCOVID.org. Essex County also offers weekly Emergency Food Distributions. For upcoming locations, visit www.EssexCountyNJ.org and click on the “Essex County Emergency Food Distribution Give Away” link.

In recent weeks, towns across the county have been reporting spikes and rises in COVID-19 cases. See the most recent case and death totals by town below.

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