Monday, December 24, 2012

Wildlites ~ BC Wildlife Park ~ Kamloops, BC

The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops, BC joins in the festive season with a wonderful display of colorful sights and Christmas sounds!  This is a great place to take the family and enjoy the entertainment offered for young and old.

entering the light display in the park
Wildlites in the BC Wildlife Park
The 15th Annual Wildlights Festival is happening on December 14th to January 6, 2013 this year, except for Christmas Day so there is time to get out there and enjoy the excitement between 5pm to 9pm. 
light displays in the park
Follow the walk in the BC Wildlife Park 
Once you pass through the Visitor Center, you are greeted with lights galore that hang in the trees and line the walkway.  Your walk will take you past light displays of animals and Christmas displays. 
The lights create an Arc
The Arc on the lake in the BC Wildlife Park
The lake has an Arc in lights that reflects on the lake, home to some swans and other waterfowl that were hard to see during this visit to the Wildlife park, perhaps they were inside the Arc! 
Santa display in the park
Santa in lights
 Memberships are a wonderful gift to give and can be used all year round.  There are so many activities offered throughout the year.  The BC Wildlife Park membership also means you have free admission to zoos in Vancouver, Edmonton and Saskatoon, Sask. 
Campfires to warm up at
Campfires in the Wildlife Park
Chris the Clown is a regular entertainer at this event and keeps the kids smiling with his fun antics and magic shows.  He has scheduled shows at 6 pm & 8:30 pm during the evening, be sure to check it out.  He’s not far from the bonfires and seating where you can enjoy a hot chocolate and get warmed up, too.
Lights and music make a great show
Laser Show at the BC Wildlife Park
The second year for the Spectacular Laser Light Show is happening in the amphitheatre each evening at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.  Be sure to take one of those in but I suggest taking a blanket or cushion to sit on the outdoor seats.
display of bears in colored lights
Bear in lights
Clover, the Kermode or Spirit bear will be in hibernation during these winter visits but will be ready to meet us next year.  He brings something special to our Wildlife park and he will be residing in an area built especially for him that will include a bear interpretive center once the funds are raised. 
Wolf waiting for dinner at the fence
Wolves in BC Wildlife Park
The feeding time happens during the evening hours for the elk and wolves so if you’re able to time it right, you can watch the elk get fed at 5:30pm and the wolves at 6:30pm at each of their enclosures. 
light displays in park
Dinosaur lights in the park
The BC Wildlife Park has a great motto: Conservation through Education and programs are offered to support that.  There are Kids Science day camps happening for kids 6 to 12 yrs where they learn about the wildlife and nature; to learn more, click here. 
School programs and field trips including free class rides with the Kamloops Transit System available, to learn more about those, click here.  That sounds like a fun day for school.
The miniature train and all shiny and ready for a ride
Wildlife Express Miniature Train
Wildlife Express Miniature Train covers a kilometer track that circles around the park.  The rates are great, only 50 cents for the kids and $1 for adults.  You will see sights all lit up throughout the ride.  
lights of flowers line the walkway
Flowers line the walk
There is the Wildlights Maze to have fun getting lost and found in and the barn with the little petting animals that enjoy some attention, too, so don’t miss them.  The Wagon ride is available and makes it all part of a fun family evening.

The restaurant in the Visitor Center is open for snacks and the gift store to enjoy while you’re here, too. The Wildlife Park is a non-profit organization so purchases made in the gift store contribute to support the park, as well.  To learn more, click here and see all that the BC Wildlife Park has to offer and how lucky we are to have this in Kamloops, BC.

The Wildlites at the BC Wildlife Park is just another reason why we love Kamloops,
there is just no place like home.