TOLEDO, Ohio — The Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo has been a tradition since 1986. It has been a staple kickoff for the holiday season in northwest Ohio, spreading cheer to all who come.
One volunteer has been involved with the holiday celebration for several decades.
"My son and I are lucky to get a front row seat every year," said Joan Legros, who has been coming to the Toledo Zoo since she was two years old. That was nearly 80 years ago.
As volunteer for the past 20 years, and working the lights for the last 10, Legros said while the animals keep her there, the lights are special.
While it may feature over a million lights, visitors also come to enjoy all of the activities. Santa makes his annual appearance at the Toledo Zoo before Christmas and entertainers like jugglers and stilt walkers roam the zoo's campus. The excitement brings family-friendly fun for all ages.
"So, we're here with the family," said first-timer Matt Sokol. "We're actually here with friends from Michigan. [We] met here in Toledo and we're walking through looking at the lights."
A Cleveland native, Sokol said he and his family hit the road, driving nearly two hours, just for the lights.
"It's been a perfect night. It's cold, it's starting to change for the holiday season. So, it's just the perfect night with all the lights, the music," he reminisced.
While the lights were impressive, he believes the trip was about spending time with his wife and kids, finding magic in the simple things.
"It's all about memories. I mean growing up when I was a kid, my best memories were spent with my parents and my family, doing stuff like this. So, for my wife and I to be able to pass that down to our kids, that's what it's all about," Sokol exclaimed.
You can watch WTOL 11's full coverage of the Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas festivities, here.