It’s been a while, but it’s time for another Adventure post! Back to your regular recipes next Monday.
For at least a couple years now, John Ball Zoo up in Grand Rapids has had a springtime Lantern Festival, where the main zoo path is decked out in colorful lanterns and lights. It’s a little different from the lights-and-sounds show at the Botanical Gardens I saw last Christmas, but it’s still something I’ve wanted to find the time to go see.
This year, I finally managed to make it up when the weather was nice. We arrived right when the sun was going down, and were able to see the whole mile-long path of lanterns in full glory. Here are the pictures I took along the way!
The Lantern Festival runs through mid-June if any of you happen to be local or in a traveling mood. I definitely think it’s worth the visit! For now, if you can’t make it or missed the dates, here are my pictures with commentary.
A couple of the lantern umbrellas sitting near the walkway leading up to the zoo. This was the first sign that my idea of “lantern” was a lot less elaborate than what was actually here.
Coming into the zoo driveway you’re greeted by a dragon. Just a taste of what you get to expect.
The other display leading up to the zoo entrance walkway. A lot of these had plaques with descriptions of history or cultural significance, but I didn’t include most of them.
Fish!
This is an instance I wish I grabbed a video. This dragon was woken up when someone stepped on that plate and would tell you that he was tired from fighting another dragon and just wants to go back to sleep.
Nine tailed fox that changed colors. LOVED it in the blue.
The first lantern tunnel you come across. It’s so pretty and much more than we expected.
Better view of that first flower tunnel since it was finally fully dark and a bit less crowded.
A bit more of a traditional lantern walkway both when we first arrived vs a few hours later when it was a bit less crowded and darker. It was all so pretty!
Couple of deer under a peach tree. One of many animals going up the hill.
There were several hands-on animals throughout the zoo. This one was the flying deer that flapped its wings when you turned the wheel behind it.
The second lantern tunnel you some across: Drums.
Some slightly fancier deer resting by one of the food buildings.
We didn’t plan on getting food, but we had to try the apple dumpling sundae. They ran out of vanilla ice cream so we had to have chocolate (100% okay with that!)
Dragon coiling a pillar of mountains and lanterns. One of the taller lanterns we saw that night.
Cranes.
Tunnel being guarded by bats.
Had to do a double take when we passed by the animatronic gator as the movements and low light made it look real for a second.
Macaws looking down on you as you get close to an arch.
Veggie bridge (mostly squash)! This was one of the longer walkways and a fun one to see.
Lining all the poles of the squash bridge were vines covered in squash flowers. Was just a fun little detail.
While we were on the veggie bridge we happened to look down and see a porcupine walking up the the edge of his log. Was really hoping we weren’t going to have to inform a keeper that it’d jumped and escaped (It did not).
Snake.
The woodpecker lanterns were neat as they had holes all over them.
Another walkway lined with butterflies. The lighting on these changed colors constantly, it was very pretty.
From a distance I saw the yellow flowers and thought they’d be sunflowers. They were more daisy-like but that didn’t make them any less pretty.
The giant moth hiding behind the branches,
Lovebird nest. This was another moving lantern, with the babies moving up and down and the parents bending down as if feeding them.
Trio of frogs.
One of the final tunnels. Leaves, fruit, and butterflies overhead.
This bunch of flowers was fun as they’d drop smoke filled bubbles.
Side path full of giant weevils. Where does it lead?
Turns out the side path led to a hidden stage that had all sorts of performers. This one was dressed like a moth and doing a bit of a dance showing off her wings. Not shown were foot jugglers and some acrobatics. I wanted to hang around and watch them all but it was starting to get late and we still had more lanterns to see.
I couldn’t resist a silly photo with the adorable red panda!
I joked and called this one Veggieman and it turned out that was in fact his name. He roared and spoke and moved around a bit.
A piranha plant?
Turkey that raise and lower their tail feathers. They seemed slightly out of place with the exotic animal lanterns surrounding them.
Marmoset just hanging out on fruits and veggies.
Sloths. They were supposed to yawn when people stand still but we didn’t hang around long enough to test that. There were enough people around that there was always movement.
Walkway of angels trumpet overhead. Was a pretty one we got to take our time with as the crowds were still watching the show.
Begonias covered in bees? Or flies? Kinda hard to tell.
Hibiscus tunnel! The final one and one of my favorite flowers. Sunflowers take first place, of course.
One of the other interactive lanterns. Each of these circles spin as you turn the handles. Snail shell was easily the best.
Chameleons that slowly changed colors.
The final walkway leading back to the start. Was lined with what I think are lantanas and various smaller birds.
A snake guarding the bathroom nearby.
Geese!
The dragonflies were neat looking.
Gorillas just sitting and watching people go by.
The ladybug lanterns were a lot of fun. I’ve always loved those plants with the speckled leaves but have no idea what they are.
Just a bunch of pandas hanging out just outside of the gift shop.
There you go! I’m looking forward to what they have next year, for sure.