A Special White Rhino Exhibit During the Holidays at Albuquerque Biological Park

By Terry Axline

Albuquerque, NM - A life-sized, motorized rhino sculpted in white lights is one of the new displays that will thrill visitors at the 13th annual River of Lights, New Mexico’s biggest walk-through holiday light show! This year’s ingenious sculptures also feature an awesome 3-D flying Pegasus, a spectacular glass snowman display and much more. River of Lights opens November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and runs through December 30 (closed Dec. 24, 25 & 31). Rio Grande Botanic Garden visitors will be dazzled by hundreds of intricately beautiful nature-themed light sculptures and more than a million twinkling lights. River of Lights is a truly magical experience! Nov. 28 is also the date for Albuquerque’s Twinkle Light Parade, which ends on Central Avenue in front of the Aquarium/Garden.

River of Lights sculptures are designed and constructed by Albuquerque BioPark artists and craftsmen. Advance tickets may be purchased from Zoo and Aquarium/Botanic Garden cashiers or visit bioparksociety.org to purchase tickets online. Tickets are also available at the gate. On-site ticket sales start at 5:30pm and gates open at 6:00pm. The Aquarium closes daily at 5pm and is not open during River of Lights; however, it is available for rental of catered events on most nights.

The Tingley train will operate as a shuttle on Nov. 28 and Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12 and Dec. 18 through 30. River of Lights visitors can park in the north parking area at Tingley Beach and catch a free ride on the Tingley train to and from the Botanic Garden train station.

A free Holiday Nature Crafts program will be offered in the Aquarium/Garden Education building on consecutive Wednesdays on Dec. 2, 9 and 16, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. The miniature Garden Railroad, complete with lighted model trains, cars, tracks, stations, trestles, bridges and a miniature village, will operate from 6:00 to 8:30 pm Wednesdays through Sundays (weather permitting).

Visitors may purchase hot food and beverages on site and enjoy live entertainment most nights from Nov. 28 – Dec. 23. The Shark Reef Café will offer special holiday meals Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-30. Reservations will be taken for parties of six or more. For information about restaurant dining call 505-848-7182. Aquarium and Garden gift shops will be open day and night for holiday purchases.

Presented by the City of Albuquerque and the New Mexico BioPark Society, River of Lights entertained more than 70,000 visitors in 2008. Sponsors this year include KOB TV-4 and Citadel Communications radio stations 99.5 Magic FM and 92.3 KRST. River of Lights began in 1997 as a fund raising project sponsored by the New Mexico BioPark Society. Proceeds from River of Lights help support a variety of Albuquerque Biological Park projects.

Daytime Albuquerque Biological Park hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors 65 and older and children 3-12. Same day combo admission to all facilities is $12 for adults; $5 for seniors and children. New Mexico BioPark Society membership confers free general admission to all BioPark facilities and discounts to many special events. (No member or senior discounts to River of Lights.) Find out more about becoming a BioPark Society member.

The Albuquerque BioPark is an accessible facility and a division of the City of Albuquerque’s Cultural Services Department. For special assistance in visiting the BioPark, please call 311 locally or (505) 768-2000 (Relay NM or 711).

The Rio Grande Botanic Garden is a member of the American Public Garden Association, an organization founded in 1940 that has emerged as the premiere association for public gardens. Today, APGA’s 500 member institutions are located throughout North America and beyond. The APGA serves and strengthens its member gardens by supporting and promoting their work, value and achievements in horticultural display, education, research and plant conservation.

To view Rio Grande Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-94-Rio_Grande_Zoo