Community Day at Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue
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Two-year-old Carson Smith watches as his dad, Michael Smith, feeds a baby goat at the Little Ponderosa Zoo during Saturday’s Community Day at the zoo. Looking on is mom Ally Smith. The Smiths were visiting from Rockwood.
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Children play on inflatables during last Saturday’s Community Day at the Little Ponderosa Zoo and Wildlife Rescue near Clinton.
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Visitors stroll through the Little Ponderosa Zoo and Wildlife Rescue during Community Day at the popular Clinton attraction.
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Some children get pony rides at the Little Ponderosa Zoo during last Saturday’s Community Day event at the facility in the Dutch Valley community near Clinton.
Clinton’s Little Ponderosa Zoo and Wildlife Rescue attracted a large turnout for its annual Community Day last Saturday, with a steady stream of visitors coming through the gates all day long – despite the cool weather with occasional sprinkles of rain.
Besides the many animals on display both inside and outside the zoo’s facilities, there were vendor booths set up throughout the property, and several food options were available to keep visitors fed, including a Kona Ice stand.
A bounce house and inflatable slide were set up to keep kids entertained, and pony rides were available for children, as well.
The zoo’s animals were the real stars of the show, including plenty of baby goats, many of which were roaming the grounds and making friends with the visitors; and Baby Cash, a curious, friendly young camel that the zoo took in as a rescue.
School buses were on hand to ferry visitors to the zoo from remote parking areas, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office was on hand to direct traffic and keep visitors safe.
Ponderosa officials said on Monday that the event was a success.
On their Facebook page, they said:
“Thank you to all the folks that came out and enjoyed the day! We are also thankful to all our sponsors: Rusty Wallace Chevrolet, Dogwood Carpentry, Williams Door Company, Russell Barker for Anderson County Sheriff, and Y12 Federal Credit Union.”
The Little Ponderosa Zoo is at 629 Granite Road, in the Dutch Valley community of northwestern Anderson County between Clinton and Rocky Top.
It’s open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.