Racine Zoo Lantern Festival extended through 2020

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine Zoo along with the Zigong Lantern Group is extending the 2019 Chinese Lantern Festival's run in 2020! 

According to a news release, the festival will run for four additional weekends from Friday, Jan. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 9. The Lantern Festival will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday from 5pm to 8pm with a closing time of 9pm. Tickets will be $5 per person online or at the gate. Unused tickets and season passes are still valid.

The news release says colorful and intricately-designed lanterns look like pieces of artwork during the day, and come to life at night. From tigers, lions, pandas, exotic flora and a colossal dragon, the Racine Zoo transforms into a world of illumination. There are 32 different scenes that will first greet visitors at the main Zoo entrance. The displays continue throughout the south end of the Zoo grounds.

"We are so excited to continue this amazing festival," Chelsea Locke, the Zoo's Special Event Manager said. "Guests are thrilled that they can still see it."

Here's what it takes to make the approximately 300 pieces of lantern art that are spread across the Zoo:

  • 50 tons of steel
  • 40,000 feet of silk
  • 33,000 feet of LED light belts
  • 5,000 strings of LED fairy lights
  • 15,000 LED bulbs
  • 36,000 feet of cable and wire

For more information on the Racine Zoo Lantern Festival, CLICK HERE

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