The holiday season in Watertown was brightened for the first time ever with a light display at the Thompson Park Zoo. Our Amanda Kelley tells us why officials say the event was such a huge success and what plans are in store for holiday seasons to come.

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- As 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' comes to a close, The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park has a lot to celebrate.

John Wright, NYS Zoo at Thompson Park Executive Director said, “It's been a very rewarding season for us. For the first time we've had thousands of visitors come by to see our thousands and thousands of lights. And just a really good overall response from everybody."

Since November, volunteers and zoo employees along with sponsors worked to deck the zoo in thousands of light displays. Something many in the community were excited to see.

Cora Hart, 9, said, “I thought wow it's gonna be so fun."

Austin Hart, 11, said, “Because I just like to look at lights."

The number of visitors and the buzz around town wasn't a surprise to Wright.

"Before we started this we kind of got the feel from the community and a lot of people had mentioned lights on the lake and going down there, but they wanted something a little bit closer,” said Wright.

These bright displays not only helped bring holiday cheer to Watertown families, it also raised about $10,000 for the zoo.

But Zoo Officials said the most exciting part about the winter wonderland weekends is the response from visitors.

Karissa Hart, 6, said, “It's like so bright you can see them everywhere."

"I think the thing that got me excited the most is when people leave they can't wait for next year, so that tells me that we did a very good job this year. Our sponsors are happy with the layouts and whatnot so that got me excited as everything came together. So I’m really looking forward to next year as well," said Wright.

Plans to expand and add more displays for next holiday season are already in the works, with possibilities ranging from more displays, to a lighting ceremony, and maybe someday even decorating all of Thompson Park.

Making the holiday season in Watertown just a little bit brighter.

You can check out the Zoo Lights for yourself for the last time tonight from 5 to 9 p.m.