News and Stories

30-Foot Tall Statue A Local Holiday Tradition

WHO:             The annual PNC Festival of Lights preparation is well underway, celebrating a 31-year old local holiday tradition.  One of the most iconic displays – a 30-foot-tall Rhino Nutcracker – was installed today at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The giant Nutcracker will stand guard at the Zoo’s Vine Street Village entrance during PNC Festival of Lights, which runs from November 23 through January 4.

WHAT:          This Holiday Season, the Zoo will feature two giant Nutcrackers, a rhinoceros and a lion.  Assembling these massive statues was no easy task!  HGC Construction used a crane and a lift bucket to put together the Nutcracker’s 5 wooden parts, 1 base, 2 legs, 1 body and a head.