By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of Clay Center Public Utilities
The Clay Center Utility Park Zoo is preparing for its annual ‘Lights Before Christmas’ drive-thru fundraiser, set for Friday, December 12th, and Saturday, December 13th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This annual free-will donation event raises money for the many important projects at the zoo.
Zoo Curator Garett Payne said it will be pretty similar to previous years, but there will be some new characters.
“This year, pretty similar characters that we’ve seen. There will be one new character that will be accompanying Frosty the Snowman this year.”
“We will also see the return of Buddy the Elf and Jovi the Elf, and there may be a special little surprise in there, also for the kids.”
Plenty of stations will be available to stop at with Christmas-themed goodies for the kids. Santa will also be there to greet the children.
Payne said the proceeds will help fund exhibits coming in the Spring and beyond.
“The money we’re collecting will be going back into the zoo.”
“We’ve got some really exciting things coming in the future that we’re not quite ready to talk about yet, but there’s some more exciting stuff that’s going to happen.”
“For right now, our resources will be going towards projects in the spring. We’ve got the small animal exhibit going in. The splash pad is going in. So those will be the two big projects for this coming year.”
This yearly fundraiser has quickly become a holiday tradition in Clay Center.
Payne said he will soon post the map and additional information on this year’s ‘Lights Before Christmas’ on the zoo’s Facebook page.
