Wild Animal Carousel Opens at the Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is proud to announce the opening of The Patton Family Wild Animal Carousel. The newest addition to the Zoo will offer rides in time for the Zoo’s eighth annual Halloween celebration, Ghouls at Grassmere which begins Friday, October 21 from 5 pm to 9 pm. The Patton Family Wild Animal Carousel features 39 hand-painted, wooden animals and is the first in the country to offer the opportunity to ride a giant anteater, red river hog, komodo dragon, seahorse or a clouded leopard cub. The beautifully designed carousel features species currently found at Nashville Zoo as well as a giraffe and several other exciting animals expected to be on view in the future. The open-air pavilion housing the carousel features numerous artistic elements, including animal carvings by master carver Zsolt Hormay. Hormay is responsible for assembling the team and creating the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A world-renowned expert in creation, design and construction of themed-environments, Hormay had a twelve-year career with Walt Disney Imagineering and his work is absolutely stunning. “Zoo guests have been walking by the carousel for a couple of weeks now and all are very eager to take a ride,” says Zoo President Rick Schwartz. “It is a beautiful addition and we anticipate more than 100,000 riders during the first year.” The carousel will be open to the public on Friday, October 21 when Nashville Zoo kicks off our annual Halloween celebration, Ghouls at Grassmere. Carousel rides cost $2 per person and will be offered during the Zoo’s normal operating hours (9 am to 6 pm though October and 9 am to 4 pm from November though March). In addition, the carousel will be operating during Ghouls at Grassmere which runs from 5 pm to 9 pm on October 21 through 23 and October 28 through 31. The generosity of our named donors, Robin and Richard Patton, as well as the individual animal sponsors allows the Zoo to bring this brand new ride to Nashville Zoo. Located between our Festival Field and the Historic Grassmere Home, the carousel can be found next to the recently opened Lorikeet Landing and near The Cal Turner Foundation African Elephant Savannah which opened in April. Nashville Zoo offers many animal species found around the world. These beautiful creatures can be found in equally beautiful habitats like Gibbon Islands, The Unseen New World, Bamboo Trail, as well as the Hyacinth macaw, meerkat and bongo exhibits. The Zoo also offers the Grassmere Historic Farm, Critter Encounters petting area and exciting animal shows and programs. Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious American Zoo and Aquarium Association assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Road and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission prices from April through October are $11 for adults, $7 for children 3 to 12, and $9.50 for seniors (65+). Admission prices from November through March are $8 for adults, $6 for children 3 to 12, and $7 for seniors (65+). All children under the age of 3 are admitted free. Nashville Zoo’s mission is “promoting environmental and species conservation through education and recreation.” For more information about Nashville Zoo, please call 833-1534 or visit their website at www.nashvillezoo.org.