Bloomington-Normal's biggest holiday lights display kicks off this weekend, with twinkle bulbs and holiday inflatables tucked in every nook and cranny of Miller Park Zoo.
Dubbed Wild Lights, Miller Park's Christmas-themed, sparkly wonderland runs Fridays and Saturdays at the zoo, through Dec. 14.
Events and Volunteer Coordinator Silvia Schuh said she models Wild Lights on Chicago's popular ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo and aims to make the displays bigger and better every year.
But Wild Lights predates Schuh's decade-long tenure at Miller Park Zoo. When she took the job, the zoo was already hosting a simple, one-day holiday event, lining the walkways with luminaries.
There was only one problem with that.
“They kept catching on fire,” Schuh said on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.
Schuh’s first year at the zoo was the last for open flames at Wild Lights. After that, it was battery-operated tea lights for a year, then it moved toward its current iteration as a Christmas light display inspired by ZooLights and FOLEPI, a huge drive-through display in East Peoria celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
“We wanted to do something like that, but obviously on a much smaller scale,” Schuh said. “There is no other light event, I think, in Central Illinois that offers the opportunity to enjoy Christmas lights, Christmas music, Christmas treats — you can make your own s’more on grounds — and the best thing is being able to see the animals at night.”
For several years, Schuh handled all the decorating herself. But as Wild Lights has grown — to over 50,000 plus tiny twinkle bulbs, plus pine boughs, trees, blow molds, inflatables and illuminated archways — it became impossible to do alone. Volunteers from State Farm, Rivian and Girl Scouts have spent time helping install the displays.
“It takes a lot of time and a lot of man hours,” Schuh said. “I don’t think I could do it anymore without the help of volunteers.”
Schuh said a nighttime event is a new way to experience the zoo’s residents: nocturnal animals who normally sleep during the day are up and about. Even the zoo’s Sumatran tiger Rojo, who turned 18 this week, enjoys saying “hi” during Wild Lights. Schuh avoids flashing lights and loud music to ensure the animals aren’t anxious but said they are quite accustomed to nighttime visitors.
“It’s not a foreign concept for them,” she said, noting evening rentals and the zoo’s Halloween event. “Our animals’ needs are first. It is comfortable for them but it’s still fun for humans.”
A few vendors and craft stations will be scattered through the zoo, indoors and out, plus chances for face painting, glitter tattoos and an audience with Santa. Depending on the weather, Schuh said she anticipates about 1,000 visitors a night. Attendance can dip in snowy, rainy or cold conditions — but Schuh said those nights, which typically aren’t as busy, can be the best.
“It’s just a fun time,” she said. “You won’t just be outside. There are activities to do inside. Plus, there’s hot chocolate in our concessions, so that will help you warm up too.”
Wild Lights runs 5-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 6-14 at Miller Park Zoo, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington. Tickets $5 for zoo members and $10 for non-members. Events coordinator Silvia Schuh recommends buying tickets ahead of time at the Zoo gift shop or by calling 309-434-2250 to skip the line and get right to the fun stuff. bloomingtonparks.org/facilities/miller-park-zoo.
