The seventh annual Holiday Lights at the California Living Museum opened to the public Nov. 28, featuring over two million lights and Christmas decorations.
According to zoo manager Lana Fain, CALM made some changes and additions to this year’s light displays, including an aquatic area with dolphins and whales reflected over a pond. “We also are doing fireworks lights instead of the usual volcano this year,” said Fain.
People and businesses of Bakersfield sponsored The Holiday Lights and all revenue is helping to pay for the new mountain lion exhibit, said Fain. “We like them to keep in mind they are helping CALM grow.”
Over 30 volunteers are needed each night in order to ensure a smooth running of the event, Fain added. Volunteers run the train ride, the carousel and the gift shop as well as guides throughout the zoo to help visitors find their way around.
Jessica Cardenas, 22, started volunteering for CALM in high school and has come back every year since. “I love the holidays, and I love the lights,” she said.
Cardenas’s job was to make sure guests stayed on the trails so they didn’t wander over to where the animals are kept this time of year. She also kept people from feeding the nearby pelican and to let the guests know the reptile house is open.
“After I volunteer here, I’ll bring my daughter through because we get free tickets. She’s two, so she’ll love this,” she said.
Train conductor Richard Groves, 66, is a retired engineer from the Santa Fe Railroad and volunteers for the Holiday Lights in his spare time. He said he most enjoys seeing the look on children’s faces when they come through. “I just like the people. They see all the lights and get to get on the train.”
The train goes around about a mile of permanent track and takes guests through light displays of various Bakersfield icons including the Bakersfield sign and the clock tower. In addition to train rides during the holidays, CALM also has train rides year round on the weekends.
Bakersfield College student Joseph Herrera, 20, a business administration major, said he likes the train ride the best because you get to see all the lights and sit down. He also enjoyed the Chevron sponsored light display in which a courtyard of trees is lit up in synchronization to music. “It’s just a lot of flashing everywhere,” he said.
Rachell Gonzales, visiting from CSU Northridge for the Thanksgiving holidays, said she likes the reptile exhibit and plans to come back again next year.
The reptile house was a favorite among many guests who went in to escape the cold and to see various Kern County reptiles and animals.
Retired Kern High School District counselor Bob Norwood, 77, who volunteers with his wife for the holidays said, “She likes the snake house because it’s warmer in there.” He added that he loves working with this group of volunteers and showing the guests a good time. “It’s all about little kids.”
This year, a ticket to the event includes free parking as well as train and carousel rides. Prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children 13-17 and $6 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and under.
“We get volunteers from the whole community but we still need more for the later part of December,” Fain said.
The Holiday Lights at CALM will be open 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every evening through Dec. 30 except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when CALM will be closed.