Community Corner
Kids Can Celebrate New Year's Early at Lowry Park Zoo
It's the other 12 o'clock: At Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, noon is the time to let the young ones ring in 2012 without busting their bed time.
Parents who want to celebrate New Year's Eve with their kids but not feel like they're subjecting them to a marathon now have an option. Saturday's at , 1101 W Sligh Ave., is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Folks from Radio Disney AM 1380 will be on hand to play music, coordinate hula hoop and dance contests, present games and other activities, along with free giveaways. There will also be arts and crafts and educational displays, along with over a dozen vendors.
A giant clock will count down the approach of noon, and everyone can celebrate the big moment with free noisemakers, hats and juice toasts.
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"All activities for this event are in the manatee fountain area, near the zoo’s front entrance," said Lowry Park Zoo spokesperson Rachel Nelson. "It is normally very crowded, and with the event on a Saturday and beautiful weather, we would hope for the same this year."
Noon Year's Day is a part of normal zoo admission, which is $23.95, $21.95 for ages 60 and older, $18.95 ages 3 to 11, and free for 2 and younger. Though the event ends at 12:30 p.m., the zoo will retain its normal closing time of 5 p.m. Call 813-935-8552 for info.