Kim Wooten and her daughter, Madelyn, at the petting zoo.
Madelyn, 2, gets a special greeting.
For GreerToday.com
The Holiday Lights Safari is an excellent evening activity for all ages and all abilities.
You can stay warm in your vehicle and enjoy the magical lights on the almost 100 acres at Hollywild Animal Park. Drive through the Enchanted Deer Forest where scores of free roaming deer and a few huge cows come to your window to be fed. Don’t forget to pick up some food at the entrance.
Santa’s Village is ideal for a visit with Saint Nick and to enjoy touching and feeding the animals in the petting zoo.
I took my two-year-old daughter, Madelyn, and she absolutely loved it. Her big blue eyes lit up as we started going through the twinkling lights. Madelyn kept pointing and saying, “Look. Look Momma”. She was looking all around in amazement.
As we entered the Enchanted Deer Forest, Madelyn saw the big group of deer, and she started asking, “What’s that?” Most of the deer came up to our window where we fed them. Madelyn giggled so much as the deer touched her hand.
The biggest cow I have ever seen stuck his head inside the window looking for food. Madelyn was not sure about that and tried to get away.
It was a simply amazing site seeing all the deer and cows roaming freely and walking up to us.
We visited Santa in his Village and to the petting zoo. Madelyn got shy when she saw Santa Clause and wouldn’t even look at him. However, she loved touching all the animals and feeding them. She kept grabbing my hand and saying “Momma, look at that”. She laughed every time she touched an animal.
I loved the fact I had access to everything in Santa’s Village with my wheelchair. It was a little bumpy but nothing unmanageable.
This is a perfect evening for families with special needs. You can enjoy the magic of this Christmas season in the car or venture out to Santa’s Village at Hollywild Animal Park.
Want to go?
• Open every evening through Jan. 3.
• Admission: $6. Optional Enchanted Deer Forest additional $10 per vehicle includes bag of animal food.
• Information: Visit Hollywild Animal Park or call 864-472-2038.
• About the author: Kim Wooten, 25, was born with Cerebral Palsy, which is a condition that affects her muscles and muscle control. She graduated cum laude in 2010 from North Greenville University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Wooten is married and has a 2-year old daughter.