Holidays with the Critters set for Dec. 7 at the Santa Ana Zoo

“Holidays with the Critters” & “Winter Zoobilation” at the Santa Ana Zoo

Come one, come all to the Santa Ana Zoo’s annual holiday family festival “Holidays with the Critters” on Saturday, December 7th from 11 am – 2 pm, rain or shine. The event is included with the price of admission and FREE for Zoo members.

Additionally, throughout the month of December, the Santa Ana Zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland called “Winter Zoobilation” with special holiday entertainment each weekend for all to enjoy.

On December 7th, Holidays with the Critters will be filled with enchanting animals, festive music and beautiful, original hand-crafted decorations depicting Santa’s Workshop, Sweet Shop and Post Office cut outs of 3-dimensional wood and individually designed and painted by Board Member Rip Ribble. Guests will be able to join in the celebration with stories of winter delights, special children’s crafts and a chance to see the Zoo animal friends put on their “winter coats.” The Zoo entrance and farm area will feature live entertainment and “treat” stations where each child will receive goodies.

“At Holidays with the Critters families can escape from the season’s frenzy and get reacquainted with the tranquility of the Santa Ana Zoo,” says Debbie Friedman, Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ) Board President. “Visitors can also spread good cheer by doing their holiday shopping at the Treetop Toys Zoo Gift Shop, where proceeds go to help the Zoo.”

All day there will be an exclusive 10% discount on merchandise, highlighting creative and zoo themed gifts for the holidays. Members receive an extra discount of 20% on all holiday themed gift shop items.

“Each one of us has holiday memories we cherish as parents, grandparents or friends, and at the Santa Ana Zoo we want to help make and honor these traditions and celebrations for one very special reason – to bring together the people we love and to create happy memories with them,” says Cathi Decker, Executive Director, FOSAZ.

The Zoofari Express and Conservation Carrousel will be lit up in their full holiday regale and rides are $3 each or $5 for a combo ticket. The Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and children 3-12 years. Children under 3 are free.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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