Despite the earnest efforts of Duluth city workers to ensure that skating and sledding would remain part of the fun at Sunday's Zoo Year's Eve, steady rain and the rising waters of nearby Kingsbury Creek had the last word.
"It was perfect for skating and sledding yesterday, but just look at it now," lamented Sam Maida, executive director of the Lake Superior Zoological Society, as he gazed out on a swamped skating rink and a slush-smeared sledding hill Sunday afternoon.
"If this isn't the worst Zoo Year's Eve we've ever had, it definitely makes the worst-three list," he said, noting that bitter cold more commonly has been an issue.
In all, six truckloads of shavings from Fryberger Arena were hauled to Lake Superior Zoo in the days leading up to the event. The shavings then were spread and worked with a groomer in anticipation of the 17th annual Zoo Year's Eve, an event geared toward children.
"We were scraping the bottom of the barrel, and we took everything we could get," said Don Maxa, a park maintenance worker, in reference to the city's snow-hauling efforts.
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Julene Boe, public information coordinator for the city's Parks and RecreationDepartment, praised city staff members for their work, even though rain proved the spoiler Sunday.
"Of course we're a little disappointed," said Anita Alberding, marketing director for the Lake Superior Zoological Society. She estimated that about 100 people -- many of them volunteers -- were involved in putting on this year's Zoo Year's Eve.
Alberding said that at least 3,000 people attended Zoo Year's Eve last year, compared with 500 to 700 this year.
Given Sunday's wet weather, Boe said she briefly considered calling off the event.
"But with the hot chocolate and the cookies already made and the fireworks on the way, it was tough to make that call," she said.
Michele Price of Morgan Park admitted she initially had misgivings about taking her children -- Alex, 12, Kayle, 10, and 6-year-old Tiana -- to the event because of the rain, but was glad they decided to brave the elements.
"We came last year and had a lot of fun, so we decided to weather the rain. The children really wanted to come," she said. "It's actually kind of nice that there aren't as many people."
Kayle Price said visiting the zoo's animals was fun, even if the weather left much to be desired.
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New Year's Eve day is the one day when Lake Superior Zoo charges no admission fees. The event began at 2 p.m. and culminated with fireworks at 5 p.m.
"I'm freezing wet, and it's nasty," Desirae Strong of Duluth said from beneath the shelter of an umbrella Sunday afternoon. "But the kids are having fun, and that's all that matters," she said, gesturing toward her nearby son, daughter and two nephews, who all were cavorting with farmyard animals inside the pens of the zoo's petting area.
PETER PASSI covers business and development. He can be reached weekdays at (218) 279-5526 or by e-mail at ppassi@duluthnews.com .
