Utica Zoo virtual holiday special

A group of local musicians get together for a virtual special to benefit the Utica zoo

Bright nights at the utica zoo due to the rising number of covid cases in the area.

They were counting on the money that would have been raised to help support and care for all the animals there.

So now a group of local musicians are stepping up to help out..... (pause for music) nats... "i'll have a blue christmas without you" (:08) the group, performimng last night at dick smith's tavern in utica, is putting together a ((virtual(( holiday special to bring some holiday cheer to the mohawk valley and hopefully raise some money for the zoo.

Over a dozen local musicians will perform holiday favorites for the virtual special, which will also serve to honor the memory of utica music legend freddy pipperata who passed away recently.

With the zoo's recent temporary closure due to the covid-19 pandemic, the zoo is down over $1 million in operating costs.

"you know the 2020 holiday season can't be what it normally is around here.

The holiday spirit is usually really, really, high in the mohawk valley area, but with 2020 and things being cancelled, this is just our way of trying to keep the holiday spirit going."

The utica zoo virtual holiday special can be seen wednesday, december 23rd at 6pm on the zoo's facebook page.

If you'd like to check it out, or make a donation, we'll have a link for you at our website...wktv.com.

Santa spent a second straight weekend...trying to make a drive-by appearance to all