All shiny and bright

GloWild! at the Zoo gets holiday season underway

It was a glowing VIP opening reception for GloWild! at the Zoo, a Nov. 3 event opener for the colorful, whimsical display of animal-shaped lanterns at the Little Rock Zoo and made possible by the Little Rock Zoological Foundation.

The reception took place in Cafe Africa. It all began before dark; guests were treated to an Asian buffet dinner, along with cocktails, with entertainment by Christine DeMeo. A short program featured remarks by major sponsor Heather Baker, president and publisher of AY Media Group, and zoo director Susan Altrui.

Then — as it had become dark enough for the full glory of GloWild! to take effect — attendees drifted out to explore the exhibits.

Billed as “one of the largest interactive light festivals featuring handcrafted silk-covered lanterns all aglow with over 50,000 LED lights,” GloWild! is in its second year (with lanterns not seen in the 2021 display).

GloWild! runs from 5-9 p.m. through Jan. 7 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

Admission is $17 for Zoo members; $20 for the general public; free for children 2 years old and younger. Special theme events will be offered, including a New Year’s Eve party. For more information and tickets, see littlerockzoo.com.

Michael and Kacee Kirschvink, Bruce Moore and Ventrell Thompson

Tonya Mead, Mary Coleman, Martha Coleman and Mitsy Tharp

Amber Helms, Craig Flowers, Bill Brookshire and Kelley Freeland

Exa and Jay Hartman

Dee Davis and Melanie Hillard

Lisa Buehler, board chair for the Arkansas Zoological Foundation, with grandsons Russ Pifer and Jackson Harrison, and husband Darwin Buehler

Colorful animal lanterns and other lighted structures illuminate paths nearby.

Richard Boles, Anna Lynch and Melanie Browning

Adrienne Collins with zoo Director Susan Altrui

Major sponsor Heather Baker speaks.

Josh and Elvisa Gwin of Benton