By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Santa has his own set of animals to take care of at the North Pole, but even Jolly Saint Nick likes to visit the zoo. On Saturday, Dec. 16, Santa will be visiting the Brit Spaugh Zoo in Great Bend. Zoo Curator Ashley Burdick said the event is provided by the Zoological Society.
"Our Zoological Society is bringing in Santa this Saturday from 1-3 p.m.," she said. "It will be in that ed shed building on the north side of the zoo. There will be cookies and hot chocolate, and the kids can come visit Santa. We'll probably be some animals out, too."
The Great Bend Zoological Society assists the Brit Spaugh Zoo in a variety of ways. Annual Society memberships are $25 for the whole family. Members get a first-chance look at new animals, "Zoo News" emails and quarterly newsletters, a 20 percent discount in the zoo gift shop and other benefits.
"They're our fundraising group, so they help us with a lot of projects," Burdick said. "They like to do fun events throughout the year. They're providing everything for this one and it's open to the public."
Last week, the Brit Spaugh Zoo announced the arrival of a two-toed sloth and raccoon from the Wright Park Zoo in Dodge City which is under reconstruction.