Phoenix Zoolights
The Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo has been a family tradition for most of my life. My first memory of the Zoolights is an embarrassing encounter I had with woman who I thought was my grandmother. After holding her hand for quite some time, and telling her that her jacket was ugly, I realized that the woman I insulted was a complete stranger not my grandmother. Since that awkward encounter with a stranger at the zoo, I have gone to the Zoolights on field-trips, with various friends and family members, and with Tracey twice. In fact, Tracey met my grandmother and grandfather at the Zoolights last year a couple of days before she proposed to me.
This year we went to Zoolights with my mom, step-dad, brother and his boyfriend, and my sister with her girlfriend. I always enjoy spending time with my large very gay family. We hoped to go to Zoolights the week before Christmas, but were able to find a date until a couple days after Christmas. This ended up working in our favor as the zoo was less busy and we were able to park much closer to the event.
Zoolights is an event held at the Phoenix Zoo and features lights in the shapes of animals, and a light show which is synchronized to music. I remember watching the trees light up to Christmas music as a very young child and feeling like the show was magic. As an Arizona native, Zoolights was also one of the few events cold enough for me wear gloves and scarf which added to the magic of the light show.
Tracey and I visited another light event in town before Christmas and spent the night talking about how the Zoolights as so much better than any other light show.
This year the Zoolights felt extra special. Currently the Zoo is showcasing Nature Connects: Art with Lego Bricks by Sean Kenny. There were Lego animal creations featured through the zoo. Tracey's mother is a fan of Legos so Tracey snapped a few photos for her. The photos do not do the lego art justice. They were all such beautiful sculptures. As someone who is unable to make the smallest Lego creation, I was mesmerized by these large Lego creations. The sea turtle hatching was the cutest creation by far.
The weather the night we went to the Zoo was nearly perfect. With a coat, boots, and a light scarf I was comfortable. I did not even need to wear my pug mittens, but I did wear them anyway which made holding Tracey's hand extra festive. She loves the way my pug mittens have bells on them so she can't lose me!
Our trip to Zoolights this year made me even more certain that Zoolights is a tradition that we hope to continue each year. What holiday traditions are important to you and yours?
Hoping you have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
-Shannae
-Shannae
