Asian Lanterns Light Up The Night At Roger Williams Park Zoo

PROVIDENCE, RI — Roger Williams Park Zoo is once again lighting up the night. The newest evening event, the Asian Lantern Spectacular, will run from April 17 through July 4.

Unlike the popular Jack-O-Lantern and Holiday Lights spectaculars, this newest event is not contained to a specific, set drive- or walk-through path. Instead, hundreds of beautifully hand-crafted lanterns are nestled throughout the entire zoo grounds, allowing visitors to stroll and enjoy the spectacle at their leisure.

The event has been in the works for more than a year, said Jeremy Goodman, the zoo's executive director.

"We're always looking for the next great thing," Goodman said, referencing the popularity of the other light spectaculars.

Goodman was first inspired by a similar event at the Cleveland Zoo, and set about finding a partnership for Rhode Island. Despite some pandemic-related setbacks, the zoo was able to partner with Hanart Culture, a Chinese-based company that created all the lanterns by hand.

The lanterns are made from sculpted metal cages covered in a durable silk fabric. Details are then painstakingly hand-painted on top, creating a lifelike work of art.

The display is a celebration of wildlife and Asain culture, featuring animals from all over the world, as well as culturally inspired food, music and performers.

The free form nature of the event encourages guests to take their time wandering zoo grounds, finding new displays around every turn.

"There isn't a single area that's not covered with some light display," said Corrie Ignagni, a spokesperson for the zoo. "The magic really comes to life when it's lit up at night."

Goodman said the plan is to bring the display back yearly for the spring and summer seasons, with new themes and lanterns each year to create new experiences for guests. Once pandemic restrictions are eased, the zoo plans to further integrate Asian culture into the event through demonstrations and larger performances. Because of the current regulations, there is just one performer this year, a Los Angeles-based musician who plays music near the central gift shop.

Although the event has been in the works for well over a year, Goodman said the timing of the event opening sends an important message to the Asian community.

"Asian culture should be celebrated," he said. "There's no place for hate here."

Goodman encouraged visitors to buy their tickets well in advance, since the event is expected to sell out nightly once it gets underway. Because of capacity limits caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the unstructured nature of the event, no tickets will be sold at entrances. All tickets must be purchased in advance, online.

The event will be held nightly from April 17 through July 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The last admission will be at 9 p.m. Adult tickets cost $25, and children aged two to 12 are $23. Kids younger than one year old are free. Active zoo members will save $2 per adult ticket, and $1 per child ticket.

All attendees over 2 years old will be required to wear a mask and social distancing will be enforced.

"These events help us get through the year, financially," Goodman said, adding that it's a great way to have fun with family and friends while supporting the zoo's nonprofit mission.