Toledo Zoo to welcome fall with Luminous Nights

Officials at the Toledo Zoo hope a new event this year will become an autumn tradition in the Glass City.

Luminous Nights, which begins Sept. 29 and runs through Oct. 29, will feature about 500 lanterns throughout zoo grounds. Some of the pieces measure upwards of 19 feet tall and 50 feet long.

“They are beautiful and can be viewed both day and night,” said Dennis Schnurbusch, director of visitor services.

Schnurbusch said he was researching ideas for a fall event and came across lantern displays at other facilities.

“A similar show was at a botanical garden outside of Green Bay,” he said. “It proved to be a very popular attraction for them.”

The lanterns in varying botanical and animal shapes are made of a silk-like fabric stretched over a metal frame and illuminated from within by LED lights.

They were handmade by Chinese artisans, and a group of 30 artisans will be on hand during the event to tend to each piece as needed.

“We want to make sure each time guests come out, the experience is the best it can be,” zoo spokesman Shayla Bell Moriarty said.

Luminous Nights will operate similarly to the zoo’s extremely popular Lights Before Christmas display with extended evening hours.

It will feature free scheduled activities including an outdoor movie night, a community scarecrow building showcase, pie-eating contests, family pumpkin carving nights, woodcarving demonstrations, games, and crafts.

The sky bridge and zipline of the Expedition Africa Aerial Adventure Course will have extended weekend hours during Luminous Nights, and the annual Zoo Brew also has been shifted back about a month to Oct. 6 to coincide with the new attraction.