Zootastic's Christmas Wonderland of Lights brightens up the holidays

It is 42 acres and has been in various states of pre-development, development and construction for more than three years, yet most people living within in a few miles don't know a thing about it.

Yet.

With the opening Friday of its Christmas Wonderland of Lights, the word about Zootastic of Lake Norman is bound to move fast and far.

"The first I heard anything about it was a week or so ago," said Troutman Town Manager David Saleeby. "But I'm anxious to see it."

Located off Oswalt Amity Road, a few miles southeast of downtown Troutman, owners of Zootastic say the light show is something to see.

Jerod Brown is Zootastic's manager and he said there is a good reason for the park's anonymity up to this point.

"We didn't really want to get the word out much until we were ready to go," Brown said.

He added that he and other park officials and developers had only been in open session before the Iredell County Commissioners — the governing body on the unincorporated land — a couple of times.

"But we've had several meetings and this has been a long process," he said.

Brown believes it's been well worth the wait and work.

Beginning in March, Zootastic will be what Brown called an "interactive zoo," and will include animals as exotic as giraffes, gazelles and zebras.

Brown said his father, Scotty Brown, who owns the park, has been involved with animals "for most of his adult life."

The park includes a massive, rustic-style main building that resembles a farm setting on one side and a mid-1800s western town setting along the back.

There are also other barn buildings and a covered walkway that Brown said will be the Noah's Ark feature, which will have animals on both sides.

"But, as I said, it's an interactive zoo," Brown said.

When asked how much Brown and his family had invested in the park, he smile and said, "A lot."

He said the project has been a massive undertaking.

"You wouldn't believe the logistics of doing something like this," he said. "It was incredible."

Brown said Zootastic will offer more than just animals for the community to enjoy.

One aspect of that kicked off on Friday with the Christmas Wonderland of Lights, which, Brown said, has been equally challenging.

"We have been putting up lights for more than three months," he said.

That's more than 1 million lights.

"And that's just for the drive-through part," he said.

That cruise includes moving light displays — such as Santa taking off on his sleigh — among the route. Brown said the most spectacular aspect of the show is the way the lights reflect off a pond located on the site.

But the show doesn't end with the drive, Brown said.

Inside the main building will be a computerized show in which lights are coordinated to move to the beat of music.

Brown said perhaps the best part of the experience is a Nativity scene that was made up of video clips cobbled together to create the Christmas story.

"And the song, 'O Holy Night,' plays," Brown said. "It is very emotional and something you have to see."

Brown said the Christmas Wonderland of Lights will be an annual event.

But next year Zootastic will also add an Easter Egg Hunt and a Halloween ride.

"We really want to be part of the community," Brown said.

So far, the park has hired 45 people. Brown said that on any given night, 35 to 40 people will be working.

Admission for the Christmas Wonderland of Lights is $5 per person or $20 per car or van-load. The show runs until Jan. 1 and is open seven days a week from 6-10 p.m.

For more information about Zootastic or the light show, call (704) 245-6446.