$5 Zoo members; $7 non-members

Visit the zoo this holiday season to see Zoo Lights - a Zoo family tradition. With over one million lights, activities for kids and carriage rides through the Zoo, the whole family will enjoy this event.

We're opening Zoo Lights even earlier this year! Experience a whole new SunTrust Zoo Lights this holiday season as we begin the festivities the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving! This year we’re “Larger than Lights” with more lights, more activities and more ground to cover. Celebrate the holidays in the Tetons, China, the Farm, Egypt and Northwest Passage. We’re covering the entire Zoo in lights with all your favorite holiday activities in between. Enjoy Santa at Teton Trek, s’mores, kids karaoke, holiday shopping in our gift shops and that’s just the beginning! Don’t miss the biggest SunTrust Zoo Lights ever.

Purchase SunTrust Zoo Lights tickets for your group. When you purchase between 20 to 50 tickets, your tickets are only $6 each, plus two FREE chaperone tickets. When you purchase 50 tickets or more, your tickets will be $5 each, plus four free chaperone tickets. Call 901-333-6660 or 901-333-6668 to order.

Starry Nights Returns to Shelby Farms Park

MEMPHIS- After more than a decade of darkness, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC) announced the 2009 return of Starry Nights—the Mid-South’s most spectacular drive-through holiday light show. The event is presented by First Tennessee and will run from November 27 through January 2, and will feature dozens of enormous holiday displays illuminated with more than a million environmentally friendly LED lights.

Starry Nights, which was originally created by MIFA and ran each holiday season from 1994-1999, became a beloved holiday tradition for many Mid-South families.

“Beginning in late November, Shelby Farms Park is flooded with phone calls asking for the return of Starry Nights,” said SFPC executive director Rick Masson. “Since we assumed management of the Park in 2008, we’ve been planning the return of what is certainly one of the most beloved and most missed holiday events.”

Starry Nights, which was originally created by MIFA and ran each holiday season from 1994-1999, became a beloved holiday tradition for many Mid-South families.

“We are proud to be a partner in bringing this beloved family event and important community tradition back to Memphis,” said Charles Burkett of First Tennessee. “It is important to our community and we’re glad to support the work of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy as they enhance and manage one of our community’s most precious natural resources in Shelby Farms Park.”

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy will manage Starry Nights, with a special nod to it’s originators with a MIFA toy drop site. Ellen Westbrook, who helped to create the event in 1994 when she worked for MIFA, has returned as the volunteer chair of the event. The original displays were designed by Reb Haizlip of Haizlip Studios, who has also returned to design exciting new displays along with a few of the old favorites. Also on the team to recreate the event are Montgomery Martin, Tennessee Technology Center and DePouw Engineering.

Some of the new displays will have environmental and natural themes, along with traditional holiday features and fun, whimsical pieces. Also new to the event will be a major gift shop and holiday village and the special nights feature on designated Monday evenings, which will include events for non-vehicular use like bicycling, walking, and other features (will be posted on Web site as events are scheduled).

“Our vision for Starry Nights is to create something truly magical and unrivaled by any but the very best national holiday light shows,” said Masson. “And what better time than now to give Mid-Southerners a fun, affordable and unique holiday experience?”

Starry Nights will once again have a musical soundtrack, featuring local musicians coordinated by Dean Deyo of Memphis Music Foundation. Regena Bearden of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau is chairing the marketing committee.

“The return of Starry Nights is a great addition to Memphis’ regional attractions,” said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s an opportunity to draw visitors to our city, boosting tourism and business during the holiday season. Starry Nights Memphis, like Shelby Farms Park, makes Memphis a better place to live, which makes Memphis a better place to visit.”

Starry Nights will open at Shelby Farms Park the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, and will run each evening until January 2, open from 6-10pm on Monday through Thursday and 6-11pm on the weekend. Prices will be $20 per car, $35 per shuttle/minivan, $50 for a minibus, and $150 for tour buses. Visit www.starrynightsmemphis.org, become a fan of Starry Nights on Facebook, or call (901)-767-PARK for more information.

Proceeds from Starry Nights will benefit the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to help Shelby Farms Park reach its potential as a celebrated 21st century park that defines and shapes a great city. Get involved by calling (901) 767-PARK, visiting our Web site at www.shelbyfarmspark.org, or becoming a fan of the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShelbyFarmsPark.