6 hours Ago By Mike Jaquays | Staff writer | [email protected]
UTICA — Visitors to the Utica Zoo learned about the winter season habits of its animals Saturday during its seventh annual Winter Zoobilee. Grady Brenon came to the zoo for the first time during the event, brought to the zoo by his parents and grandparents. He just turned 1 year old two days earlier, and enthusiastically shouted "hi" as the hyena passed by in its enclosure.
Grady wasn't so sure about meeting Santa, though. His parents Rachel and Nick of New Hartford agreed they appreciated the chance to visit the zoo. "This is a nice reason to get out of the house," Rachel said.
It was a cold but sunny day, and the zoo was filled with families enjoying a variety of winter-related games and activities at eight different stations, the music of Max Scialdone, the magic of Jim Okey, dancing with the Enchanted Broom Crew, meeting and posing for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, winter-themed crafts, toasting marshmallows around the campfire and the chance to see the zoo's animals as they live in the winter. The majestic lions sat outside in the cold, a hyena paced back and forth on a trail in the snow, but some of the exhibits had to be closed for the season to move the animals within to warmer locations.
They will be back in the spring. Millie Ritter of Utica came out with daughters Millie Ritter and Lewelia Glad and grandson Everett Ludwig. She called the event "awesome" and complimented the zoo for providing them a nice place for a family outing.
"I think we all needed some fresh air," she said. "The Utica Zoo is always one of our go-to places all year round.".
