NEWS

Community celebrates Festival of Lights, peace at zoo

Jodi Streahle
For The Daily Journal

BRIDGETON - Thousands of visitors strolled through the Cohanzick Zoo on Saturday to gaze at magical holiday displays during the Festival of Lights.

The event was hosted by the City of Bridgeton Recreation Department and included participation from community groups and local residents who sponsored different sections of the zoo to create a holiday wonderland.

Special weekend guests included Santa Claus, Marshall from "Paw Patrol" and the "Frozen" princesses, Anna and Elsa.

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Corinne Ortiz, 3, of Vineland was star struck when she met the princesses, and her happiness continued throughout the festival as she admired all the lighted holiday displays.

For others, like Makenzi Dibenedetto, 6, and Ella Dooley, 3, both of Bridgeton, the biggest thrill of the night was meeting Santa and riding on the train.

“We try to make it a nice weekend. It’s a lot of work ... When you see all the people come through, and the kids get so excited, you remember why it’s worth it,” said Melissa Hemple, director of city recreation.

“We started the Festival of Lights as a way for the community to get together and bring in the holiday season,” said Hemple. The first festival was held 10 years ago, and it follows a different theme each year.

“Peace on Earth” was the theme this year. Community groups and residents created scenes that depicted what Peach on Earth meant to them. There were Nativity scenes, gingerbread cookies representing different countries, inflatable holiday decorations such as Frosty and Charlie Brown, a Whoville display, a campfire scene, a holiday at the beach scene and a sleigh full of teaching materials with a sign that read “Teach Peace.”

New additions to the festival included a large banner where visitors could write holiday messages and purchase remembrance doves in memory of a loved one.

Also, for a small donation, visitors could pose for a photo inside a 9-foot high and 15-foot long sleigh that was built by the Recreation Department’s Adult Soccer League. “It’s huge. It’s really a nice addition this year. People seem to be having a good time with it,” said Hemple.

Train rides were offered providing a mobile view of the lighted display. Twinkling lights lined walkways and railings, and candy canes, snowflakes, wreaths and more could be spotted throughout the zoo.

Visitors also enjoyed free holiday karaoke and a variety of free crafts. Some visitors left toys for their favorite zoo animal. Suggested gift ideas were available from Recreation Department prior to the event.

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“It’s really a nice event, and I’m surprised at how many decorations they have out,” said Micky Maybrook of Hopewell as he showed a display of holiday inflatable decorations to Dominic Maybrook, 2, also of Hopewell.

Participating organizations and residents included: Trinity AME Church, Soroptimist International of Cumberland County, Implanted Word of God Ministries, Greater Bridgeton Women’s Club, Hopewell PTA, Church of the Nazarene, Cumberland Soccer Club, the Price family, the Hemple family and the Pierce family.