Holiday Lights at the California Living Museum will run from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30.
Holiday Lights is a project of the CALM foundation that has been going on for eight years and averages 44,000 people each year, just for the lights.
All proceeds go toward the new mountain lion bobcat exhibit.
The grand opening for the exhibit will be around mid-January.
Josh Barnet and Lightasmic are in charge of setting up the displays for Holiday Lights at CALM.
Barnet started his career in lights by decorating his grandmother’s house, then going on to decorate Stires RV Park.
Stan Eschner, CALM foundation president, contacted Barnet and asked him to bring Holiday Lights to CALM.
Ten people in the Lightasmic crew work on displays from the end of September to the beginning of October, so that they may be ready to set up by the end of November and set up for the community to see.
Lana Fain, zoo manager at CALM, has been the coordinator for eight years.
“It’s amazing. It’s our biggest fundraising event,” said Fain.
“The joy is that it’s someone’s first night to see the lights, each night. I’m appreciative and happy that it truly has become a community event. The money funded goes toward the animals that we care so much about,” said Fain.
The event has more than 100 sponsors this year. The lights are run on generators, so it is not an issue to the museum.
The Sea Serpent, which was CALM’s first Holiday Lights display, will be returning this year for the community to see, and the merry-go-round and train will also available for the public to ride for free.
“It’s hard to say which is our most liked display,” said Fain. “You talk to five different people. You’ll get five different answers,” she added.
Holiday Lights is not a zoo visit, although the reptile house and some animals can be viewed in exhibits. Animals that are most sensitive to light are put away.
Each family visiting the Holiday Lights at CALM will receive two passes to return and explore the zoo during zoo hours.
Although joy fills many of those who attend the Holiday Lights at CALM, minor issues have occurred in the past during the event.
Mild annoyances such as climbing over areas that are not available to the public and trying to pluck lights out happen every so often.
Thankfully, some of the community volunteers to be the eyes and ears for the Holiday Lights at CALM.
Twenty-five volunteers help as “Trail Elves,” and are needed each night.
The gift store at CALM is a major attraction at CALM and its gross is about $30,000 in the evening for the Holiday Lights at CALM.
The community can give donations if they wish to. For more information visit calmzoo.org