The Lehigh Valley’s newest zoo is officially open — though it doesn’t contain any real animals.
Hologram Zoo Lehigh Valley
held its grand opening Friday. Located at 123 S. Third St. attached to Easton City Hall, it offers an immersive experience featuring lifelike holograms of animals and their environments.
The space was previously home to
Valor Insurance
.
The zoo spans 6,000 square feet and will operate seven days a week. It features laser-projected animals that look, act and sound lifelike.
Visitors receive viewing glasses and have the option to experience different parts of the world, such as Africa and Asia. A guide will take visitors through the exhibits, and they can view the animals and environments through the glasses.
There is also a hologram room with interactive features, arcade games, gifts, and a photo booth. The Hologram Zoo also offers group events, like field trips, and events packages.
Tickets cost $24.99 for the zoo experience and $24.99-$49.99 for the hologram room experience. Each zoo experience is about 30 minutes, and the hologram room is either a 30 or 15-minute session. The attraction opens at 10 a.m. each day, and closing times range from 6-9 p.m. depending on the day of the week.
Tickets and more information are available on the zoo’s
website, hologramzoolv.com
.
The city celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Spectators filled the block in front of City Hall to view the opening and see the new attraction.
Harshal and Manpreet Patel, a married couple from Center Valley, own and operate the business. They decided to open the Hologram Zoo because of their passion for technology and wildlife. They were inspired by their 6-year-old son, who loves animals.
“There’s so many people who helped us turn our dream into reality,” Harshal said. “None of this would have been possible without the sacrifices that our friends and family members have made.”
Caitlin Hamlin, assistant vice president of affiliated chambers with the
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
, acknowledged that the hologram zoo is the second of its kind in the United States.
“We’re truly making history here today,” Hamlin said.
Easton’s Mayor Sal Panto Jr. commended the new attraction for not only its entertainment, but its educational aspect.
“The kids who come here, and their parents, will learn,” he said.
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Chelsea McClure can be reached at
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