CLEVELAND — Demand for tickets to visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Asian Lantern Festival was so high, three extra weeks were added to accommodate visitors.
As the festival came to a close last Sunday, the final numbers are in, and this year's event exceeded 2018's attendance numbers.
According to the zoo, more than 183,000 guests visited the Asian Lantern Festival this summer, surging beyond last year's record of 150,000.
The 2019 festival featured dozens of new lanterns and displays, from a giant shark tunnel to butterflies and dinosaurs lining the paths. Guests also had opportunities to sample Asian cuisine and watch performances by dancers and acrobats.
The event, which took place Thursday through Sunday of each week, was originally scheduled to run June 20 through July 28, but was extended twice for three total extra weeks to allow for more visitors.