Virginia Beach Zoo Baby

It's a girl!! And she needs a name...

The Virginia Zoological Park has a new resident: a baby siamang. The baby was born on August 20, 2012 but zookeepers needed time to determine her sex. The proud parent's are named Bali (father) and Hitam.

Siamings are the largest members of the lesser ape family. They have shiny black fur and a large throat pouch that can be expanded to the size of the ape's head to make loud mating calls and communications.

With long arms and legs, siamangs are known as the kings of swing! They are acrobatic, comical and well-suited to a life in the tree-tops of the Malaysian forests.

The zoo in Norfolk VA is having a contest to name the little baby and they're taking suggestions on their Facebook page. To enter, simply like the page and suggest a name before January 15, 2013. The winner will get to have lunch with the siamang zookeepers and a $200 shopping spree at the zoo's gift shop.

Mit Tressler

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Garden's Nights of a Thousand Candles comes to an end this weekend.

The sculpture garden is alight with more than 5,000 candles and more than 100,000 Christmas lights. Nights of a Thousand candles is an annual holiday celebration within Brookgreen Gardens and is a wonderful, charming way to experience the artwork and sculptures of one of our most popular Myrtle Beach attractions.

Admission is $16.00 for adults and $7.00 for kids between the ages of four and twelve. The price includes live entertainment, indoor art exhibits and (of course) thousands upon thousands of sparkling lights that wrap the gardens in a festive holiday spirit.

There will also be plenty of drinks and snacks available including wine, hot chocolate and hot apple cider.

The final days of the event will be December 20, 21, and 22. The park opens at 3:00pm and the candles are lit at about 5:00pm. The park doesn't close until 10:00pm so there is plenty of time to enjoy all of the scenery.

If you're looking for more fun things to do in Myrtle Beach, check out our Myrtle Beach Kid's Stuff website. We showcase family-friendly attractions in the Grand Strand.

Mit Tressler

Ripley's Aquarium Myrtle Beach Holiday Events

Ripley's Aquarium Myrtle Beach has a lot of different events going on for the holiday. News 13's Lauren Hinnant stopped by the local attraction to check out the Festival of Trees, which includes 55 Christmas trees representing the diversity of each state and territory of the USA.

Lauren also talked with Ripley's Jessica Mula about the Toys for Tots gift drive and (of course) the feature attraction for December: Scuba Saint Nick and the Merry Mermaids.

I would have loved to see more footage of the different Christmas trees but I guess the news story is only a teaser so that we will go visit the aquarium! (By the way, the teaser worked... I'm going to Big Lot's tonight to get my gift to donate and will be making a trip to the aquarium this weekend.)

Scuba Santa will be making appearances on the weekends and is a huge hit for families with young kids. Something interesting that I learned was that Santa can actually talk to the kids while he is scuba diving! Children can ask questions about the marine life and even tell Saint Nick what they want for Christmas.

Remember, admission to Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach is only $10 when you bring a new, unwrapped present to donate to the Toys for Tot's gift drive. Admission for kids is just $5 with a present. It's a great price for a great cause, so come on out and visit one of the most popular Myrtle Beach attractions in the area.

Hope to see you there! Mit Tressler

Christmas at Ripley's Aquarium Myrtle Beach

Looking for an excuse to visit Ripley's Myrtle Beach Aquarium?

The aquarium is partnering with Toys for Tots to bring the spirit of Christmas to children who are less fortunate and who may not have any gifts to open Christmas morning without the aid of this charity organization.

Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to needy children in the same locale where the gifts were collected. So you'll be helping kids right here in town.

Local businesses, like the aquarium in Myrtle Beach, play a huge role in making this toy drive a success by offering discounts on products and services in exchange for a gift (or two!) for a less fortunate child.

Bring a brand new, unwrapped toy to Ripley's Aquarium and receive a discount for more than half off the standard admission price.

Ticket prices are normally $21.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids, but when each person brings a new toy, the admission price is reduced to just $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids.

It's a great price for a great cause.

The gift drive is running from now through December 19, 2012. Ripley's Aquarium is located at 1110 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

Wild Water and Wheels

Wild Water and Wheels of Myrtle Beach, SC, is more than your standard, everyday water park or run-of-the-mill amusement park. It's a kid's paradise with over 35 rides and attractions that include a giant wave pool, speed water slides, go-carts, carnival kiddie rides, a miniature putt-putt golf course, a race track for beginner and intermediate drivers, and even a huge bumper boat area with a waterfall.

What kid wouldn't want a summer of fun for Christmas? Season passes are on sale now and are good for the entire 2013 season.

The Waterpark Season Passes are on sale for *$59.95 and the Full Park Season Pass that includes unlimited access to the water park, miniature golf course, bumper boats and go-carts is on sale for *$94.90. (Prices good for online purchases only.) 

The weather is beautiful here in South Carolina and the park will be open from May 24th until September 1st.

Wild Water and Wheels is a action-packed Myrtle Beach water park and amusement park that will keep your family having fun and staying active all summer long. This sale is scheduled to end December 24th, 2012.

Here is the original sale ad below!