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Beardsley Zoo Rings In The Asian New Year With Dragon Parade

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Frigid temperatures didn't spoil the celebration Saturday at Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo, which hosted a celebration of the Asian New Year.

Volunteers help make the day run smoothly as the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport celebrates the Asian New Year.

Volunteers help make the day run smoothly as the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport celebrates the Asian New Year.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A dragon leads a small parade at Beardsley Zoo celebrating the Year of the Monkey.

A dragon leads a small parade at Beardsley Zoo celebrating the Year of the Monkey.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Storytelling at Beardsley Zoo's Asian New Year celebration.

Storytelling at Beardsley Zoo's Asian New Year celebration.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A small girl bangs a pot during a small parade celebrating the Asian New Year.

A small girl bangs a pot during a small parade celebrating the Asian New Year.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Beardsley Zoo's Tracy Benham get the dragon suit ready for the parade.

Beardsley Zoo's Tracy Benham get the dragon suit ready for the parade.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A small parade marches around the carousel at Beardsley Zoo in celebration of the Asian New Year.

A small parade marches around the carousel at Beardsley Zoo in celebration of the Asian New Year.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The golden lion tamarin is one breed of monkey found at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. This is the Year of the Monkey.

The golden lion tamarin is one breed of monkey found at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. This is the Year of the Monkey.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

"We have an Asian New Year celebration every year, because usually it's an animal, and usually it's an animal we have here," Beardsley's Tracy Benham told Daily Voice. "If not, we try to improvise. We have a lot of fun. Obviously this year because of the cold we didn't get as many visitors, but we had quite a few families come out.

"We always feature the animal, and this year is the year is the monkey," she added. "We also talk about cultural things, have storytelling, try to keep with the cultural aspect of the day. It's also a way to let people know the zoo is open during the winter. ... 

"It's a fun mid winter thing. We appreciate the families who came out in the cold, and we have great volunteers who helped with all of it, so it's a fun day."

The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport — the only zoo in Connecticut and one of the top tourist attractions in Fairfield County — is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Adult admission is $14, and children and senior admission is $11. For more information, visit its website

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