6:30 - 10 p.m.
Akron Zoo Members are invited to an exclusive opening night of Wildlife Illuminated!
This awe-inspiring event offers a unique look at wildlife and nature through spring-themed lighting, illuminated paintings, projection mapping and lighted sculptures from local artists.
Prices
- Akron Zoo Member Adult: $14-20
- Akron Zoo Member Child (2-14 years): $11-17
- Infants (under 2 years): FREE
Wildlife Illuminated has something for everyone to enjoy!
- Areas of the zoo will shine with special-effect lighting and lighted elements, such as bees, dragonflies, sea kelp, tunnel of flowers and cherry blossom trees.
- Enjoy an immersive experience as you walk through six different biomes - rainforest, temperate forest, ocean, tundra, savannah and desert - on display in Lehner Family Zoo Gardens. Each biome will feautre resin animals, projections and other elements to bring these areas to life.
- Fifteen illuminated endangered species paintings will be placed throughout the zoo. Animals such as giraffe, orangutan, sea turtle, African painted dog and more will be featured on paintings created by artist, Russ Ronat, of Project Holocene.
- Celebrate local artists through commissioned artwork, such as sculpted jellyfish and butterflies, helping to connect you to wildlife and art.
- An interactive mural, as well as a poetry station designed by Kent State University's Wick Poetry Center, will encourage guests to express their creativity and artistics talents.
- As skies darken each night, two separate buildings in the zoo will come alive with projection mapping. Each projection will display detail projection featuring endangered species and their habitats, The projections are set to music and designed by local artist, Kevin Jackson.
- Each weekend, different local performing artists will be showcased. Guest can enjoy live music, dance, painting or sculpting. The full schedule will be available in early March.
- Learn more about the zoo's conservation efforts through various conservation activities.