Monroe Chat

Cincinnati Zoo Celebrates
25 Years this Holiday
Season!
PNC Festival of Lights begins Friday, Nov. 16
Featuring THE POLAR EXPRESSTM 4-D EXPERIENCE


Celebrate 25 years of family and tradition this year during the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's 25th Annual PNC Festival of Lights. This anniversary year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. The Zoo will flip the switch on Friday, November 16, when over 2.5 million dazzling lights and more than 100 lighted displays take over the Cincinnati skyline as city's longest-standing holiday tradition kicks off.

"PNC is extremely proud to continue our signature support of this unique Cincinnati holiday tradition," said Ed Arbaugh, SVP and Managing Director - PNC Wealth Management and Interim Regional President Ohio/N. Kentucky - PNC Bank. "PNC enjoys bringing this kind of spirit and joy to the people of the tri-state area and invite all of our friends to visit the Cincinnati Zoo to take part in the festivities."

NEW this year, guests will feel the wind in their face and actually smell hot chocolate when the Cincinnati Zoo presents THE POLAR EXPRESSTM 4-D EXPERIENCE showing in the Zoo's new 4-D Special FX Theater, presented by Coldwell Banker West Shell. And believe it or not, it will even snow indoors! The Cincinnati Zoo is excited to be the ONLY zoo in the country to offer this special attraction. Based on the inspiring and beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, THE POLAR EXPRESSTM 4-D EXPERIENCE will bring a smile to the face of young and old alike.

Back by popular demand - the spectacular Wild Lights Show, presented by Kroger, features more than 52,000 lights, choreographed to a medley of popular holiday songs, newly updated for this season. Relocated near Swan Lake, the show will feature a 21-foot-tall computer-controlled tree with five colors of lighting, leaping light arches, illuminated candy canes, and sparkling strobe lights dancing to the beat of the music.

Also, back this year, Ice Carvers will use chisels and chainsaws to turn giant blocks of ice into beautiful holiday sculptures during ice carving demonstrations each and every night at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm. Relocated to the Great American Wings of Wonder Theater, the expanded stage and seating areas will allow for a larger audience and more amazing sculptures. Kids can visit with Santa and his reindeer in the charming and kid-friendly Holiday Village, or stop by and see Mrs. Claus and her animal friends inside Mrs. Claus' Cottage, presented by Pearl Vision.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with scrumptious seasonal fare such as fresh-baked cookies, caramel apples, funnel cakes, homemade fudge, hot pretzels and roasted nuts. Or, warm up with Starbucks coffee, a glass of hot apple cider or hot chocolate. Cross items off of your holiday shopping list at one of the Zoo's gift shops, including the Zoosters Treasure House in the Children's Zoo.

Visit the Zoo's cold climate animal residents who are especially active and very much at home in the cooler temperatures. Tigers, lions, polar bears, red pandas, Japanese macaques, snow leopards, bald eagles, seals and reindeer thoroughly enjoy the winter weather. Hundreds of other warm-weather animals can be found inside more than a dozen heated indoor exhibits.

Celebrate 25 years of family and tradition at the Cincinnati Zoo PNC Festival of Lights. The Zoo opens daily at 9 am. The PNC Festival of Lights is open 5-9 pm Thursday-Sunday ONLY from November 16-December 9, and is open nightly from December 13-January 1, 2008. The event is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day.