Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Monticello's own Santa, Jack Stevens, will be making a special appearance this holiday season during the Jungle Jingle event at the North Florida Wildlife Center, a nonprofit sanctuary for vulnerable animals.
Visitors on Saturday, Dec. 13, can enjoy a unique celebration for all ages from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with animal encounters, a bounce house, face painting, plenty of seasonal cheer and a chance to meet Santa in a setting like no other, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.
The Wildlife Center will be decorated for Christmas, and the animal residents will have lots of presents to open in their own curious way. There will be plenty of opportunities for amazing holiday photos, and local vendors will be on site to provide food and drinks.
Admission is just $10.80 for children ages 3-15 and $16.90 for teens and adults ages 16+. Parking is free.
Proceeds from admission help the Wildlife Center achieve its mission of “wildlife conservation through education, propagation and habitat restoration” and make it possible for the center to participate in multiple international conservation efforts from right here in Jefferson County all the way to Madagascar and beyond.
The North Florida Wildlife Center is located at 1386 Cook Rd., in Lamont, Fla. To learn more about the center and its conservation partners, visit www.northfloridawildlife.org.
IN THE FEATURED PHOTO: King Bumi, the giant anteater who lives at the Wildlife Center, prepares to open the presents he's been given. Photo Courtesy