The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Asian Lantern Festival returning to zoo in July
In spectacle’s third year, attendance will be limited
Recently reopened to the public, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will hold its popular Asian Lantern Festival beginning July 8.
In its third year and presented by Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, the Asian Lantern Festival will be bigger than ever, with 70 never-before-seen lantern displays and new acrobatic performances on the Fifth Third Bank Stage, interactive experiences and culturally inspired cuisine, according to a news release from the zoo.
“We are excited to offer the community this unique opportunity to spend time outdoors, create memories this summer and again connect with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,” said Kelly Manderfield, Cleveland Metroparks Chief marketing officer, in the release.
“We’re thankful for the support of Cleveland Clinic Children’s, helping to bring Asian Lantern Festival to life, bigger and better than ever in its third year.”
The Asian Lantern Festival runs 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 8 through Aug. 23.
As with the zoo itself, attendance will be limited to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
To allow for social distancing, the release states, there will be a limited number of tickets available each night, and advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Furthermore, the zoo will have several safety measures during the festival to protect against COVID-19, including one-way directional flow through the event, handwashing stations and frequent sanitation of zoo grounds.
Facial coverings will be recommended for guests but not required, the release states.
The festival will feature new creative displays including a 200-foot-long phoenix that sprawls across Waterfowl Lake, “dynamic” walk-through displays and a six-story-tall colorful pagoda.
Four live performances can be seen each night that include juggling, dancing and acrobatic acts. Plus, the festival will also feature a variety of Asian food and beverage, including local favorites Li Wah and King Wah as well as some of the zoo’s regular concessions, such as Kiko’s Kitchen and Pizza Hut.
Ticket holders also get to check out the new “Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors” exhibition. The experience boasts nearly two dozen gigantic dinosaurs that “come to life at night along Waterfowl Lake.”
The new exhibition is supported by Cleveland Clinic Children’s and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, the release states.
Tickets are $20, $18 for zoo members, with fourpacks being available for $60 and $54, respectively. Limited same-day box-office tickets will be $22 for all, with a four-pack available for $66. Get tickets and information at FutureForWildlife.org/lanterns.