Latest news with #ErieZoo
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Two weeks left to ‘Glow Wild' at Erie Zoo centennial celebration
Erie Zoo's Glow Wild Chinese lantern festival has been very successful, but there are only two weeks left to experience your zoo in a new light. The festival started back in April and will run through June 15th and features 60 handcrafted lanterns inspired by zoo animals. See an increase in bugs? Here's what they are The zoo also has cultural performances two times a night. They expected bigger crowds once kids get out of school. 'As we hit the summer season and the weather turns nice we have had some really beautiful weather lately and we are looking forward to some great weather the next week or so that we are really looking forward to more crowds coming out to experience this,' said Roo Kojancie, president & CEO of the Erie Zoo. Shades Beach big chair makes comeback this summer They encourage you to buy tickets online, but you can also buy tickets at the gates. The event runs Thursday through Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. and the last day will be June 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shades Beach big chair makes comeback this summer
Shades Beach in Harborcreek Township is starting the summer season in a big way. As you come down the hill, visitors will see a colorful big chair in the middle of the beach. Tickets now available Erie Zoo's centennial Mane Event Harborcreek officials have brought back the chair this year with artwork done by local artist Trista Maloney. Township supervisor Steve Oller said their team was inspired by other tourist destinations that have this attraction. Erie Cancer Wellness Center presented with nearly $26,000 donation 'We're hoping that a lot of people will come down and enjoy our beach. We have a beautiful beach here, the sand is great, beautiful sunsets. I just hope everybody comes out and enjoys all our parks, not just this one. You have nine to choose from,' said Oller. Oller said their big chair is a star on social media, and he hopes many will visit and take photos. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tickets now available Erie Zoo's centennial Mane Event
(WJET/WFXP) — Tickets are now on sale for the biggest event in the Erie Zoo's celebration of 100 years of education and family fun in the community. Tickets went on sale Friday morning for the Erie Zoo's Mane Event celebration, with this year's celebration set to include plenty of high-energy festivities set against the backdrop of their Glow Wild Chinese lantern festival. PennDOT planning to demolish Girard bridge over I-90 Attendees can enjoy live music from local artists, including First to Eleven, food from Cali's West, unlimited drinks from six bars, 100 silent auctions for each year of the zoo, and of course, live encounters with some of the zoo's animal residents. Tickets will cost $155 for zoo members and $205 for non-members, with all proceeds from the event going to the zoo's work towards education, conservation, and community enrichment. PA Game Commission breaks ground on new learning center 'This is truly the Mane Event of the season,' said Roo Kojancie, president and CEO of the Erie Zoo. 'Whether you're a long-time supporter or a first-time visitor, we promise an unforgettable night that showcases everything people love about the Erie Zoo.' Tickets to the event are available online here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City officials commit to resuming talks on Erie Zoo ownership transfer
Tuesday, we told you conversations surrounding the Erie Zoo and a potential partnership with Erie Events had stalled as the situation gets more and more urgent for the future of the zoo. But on Wednesday, city government officials said they'll resume meetings on the issue as soon as this week and remain committed to finding a solution. Erie Zoo asks city to transfer 106 acre property to Erie Events Tuesday morning, the president and CEO of the zoo, along with other supporters, advocated for the transition of ownership before city council and the mayor's administration. Advocates of action involving the Erie Zoo are feeling hopeful after hearing from public officials at Wednesday morning's Erie City Council meeting. We reported on Tuesday that conversations surrounding a transfer of land ownership to Erie Events had fizzled out, but parties are agreeing to come back to the table. 'The comments we were hearing from city council and the administration today were very encouraging. It shows that people are willing to come to the table to discuss and find that path forward. We have presented a very clear and viable solution and it's great that we're hearing comments that people want to come to the table to continue those discussions,' said Roo Kojancie, president & CEO of the Erie Zoo. Paul Miller Law goes into effect soon, here's what to know The proposition requests that 106 acres of land be sent to Erie Events at no cost. It includes the Glenwood Golf Course, ice arena, Glenwood Park, horseshoe pits, and the Marsh Street areas. Zoo advocates said it's needed to improve the size of the land-locked zoo for years to come, but also to earn back accreditation. 'To be able to expand the zoo up to about 30 acres would allow us to expand some of the exhibits that we have at the zoo, and be able to not only meet AZA standards, but also exceed those standards,' Kojancie said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News But asking for all of the adjacent property is deemed risky by the city. . . Saying they need to do their diligence with these public assets before committing to this. 'Anytime you transfer that property, you lose that control. I'm not saying anybody has bad intentions; that's not at all the case. It's just that city council and the mayor are treading very carefully,' Edward Betza, the City of Erie Solicitor, explained. 'We would need to have some protections as to know what would happen. Also, what happens if it doesn't work financially?' After a spotlight was put on the situation, both the city solicitor as well as the mayor's staff said they're scheduling meetings with board members of the zoo and Erie Events representatives to work on an agreement. 'The zoo is doing everything it can to keep its head above water. The staff are working above and beyond and going above and beyond for the animals and to make sure that the region has this great asset,' Erie City Council Member Tyler Titus went on to say. Lawsuit moves forward against Project NePTWNE lease Zoo officials said they've been operating on a shoestring budget for years now and are confident that Erie Events can help them develop a stronger infrastructure and long-term strategic support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eco-tourism partnership blooms in Girard between Hagen History Center, PA distillery
The Hagen History Center has entered into an eco-tourism partnership with a Pennsylvania distillery. And the seeds will be cultivated on the historic site of the Battle of Girard. 'Sunflowers are the happy flower. And we know from lots of examples throughout the story that people will travel. This will be one of the largest sunflower plots in the tri-state area,' said Caleb Pifer, executive director of the Hagen History Center. On that historic field in Girard, 1.2 million sunflowers are being planted. Come August, the historic site's 50 acres will be fully in bloom, and people are sure to take notice. PHOTOS: Rainbow stretches over downtown Erie Tuesday But just as important is what will happen to the sunflowers come fall. That's when Wild's Sonshine Factory in Kane, Pennsylvania, will step in. The factory distills the only spirits made from sunflowers in the world. From that field, those sunflowers will be harvested and distilled into a completely unique sonshine spirit that will be sold first here in the 814. 'We'll produce probably between, I thought somewhere in the $500,000 to $600,000 worth of product off these fields. We can get 300 to 400 bottles an acre of finished product, so we'll take that and offer it to Erie County first,' said David Conklin, president of Wild's Sonshine Factory. The battle site has come full circle to its agricultural roots. Erie Zoo asks city to transfer 106 acre property to Erie Events 'This is one of the earliest suppliers of grapes to Welch's, as an example, so this brings it all back,' said Pifer. Girard Mayor Peter Burton said a number of special events will be planned on the site, but the public is welcome to take in the beauty of the sunflower field for free. 'It's really a unique opportunity to bring people to the property and get people excited about Girard and the battles. Miss Battles would just love that this is going on!' said Mayor Burton. Weather permitting, planting will begin on May 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
