Oakland Zoo's Glowfari has returned, but prices are higher due to tariffs

"Oakland Zoo CEO Nik Dehejia told KTVU that the LED lanterns, which are hand-crafted in China and imported months in advance, cost an additional $100,000 this year. Unfortunately, we got hit with tariffs, Dehejia told the news station. It's hard to predict what's going on in this economy, but no matter what it costs, we knew we had to bring it in. We need joy, we need some fun and Glowfari brings that to the Bay Area."

"Some lanterns are as big as 25 feet tall and 65 feet long. More than 100 artisans in China spend about 50 days working on the lanterns. The work is done through Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., a Chinese company that makes lanterns used in zoo festivals across the United States. First, painters sketch creatures based on the theme. Metal workers then weld the 3D shapes, electricians write the LED bulbs and the frames are wrapped in a fabric skin."

"Thankfully, it's a revenue share agreement with the company, so we're not purchasing everything up front, Dehejia told the Bay Area News Group last year. The zoo brings in much of its revenue through Glowfari, an event that welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually since it started six years ago. Due to high demand, the ticket prices change daily based on demand and how far in advance you plan ahead. Zoo members, children and seniors get 10% off."

Glowfari returned to the Oakland Zoo with ticket prices slightly higher after tariffs increased lantern import costs. Hand-crafted LED lanterns imported from China cost an additional $100,000 this year, and the zoo absorbed most expenses while raising prices modestly. The event features returning and newly commissioned lanterns under the theme The Future of Oakland, with some lanterns as large as 25 feet tall and 65 feet long. More than 100 artisans in China spend about 50 days producing lanterns through Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., following a process of sketching, welding metal frames, wiring LEDs, and wrapping fabric skins. Glowfari attracts over 150,000 visitors annually, uses dynamic ticket pricing with member, child, and senior discounts, and runs through Jan. 25.

Read at www.mercurynews.com