ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is as much of a holiday tradition as the choking down an eggnog latte that contains never real egg or real nog. It just seems something everyone with children has to do this time of year.

Well, now that the holiday light display turns 20 this year, I was expecting to be wowed tonight. I was not wowed. I was remotely impressed.

There were few visitors along the trails and visible dark patches where light displays would otherwise go when I went earlier tonight. The grand display in the center of the zoo had a tennis-court sized grassy patch with not so much as a sparkler to be found. It was just odd.

The show might boast seven miles of extension cord and 27 miles of lights totaling 525,000 bulbs, but I have gone every year on record and this was the first year I was left wanting more.

Zoolights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 1, except for Nov. 26, 27, 28, Dec. 3,4,5 and 24. Tickets are $5. Visit the Zoo’s Web site for more information. â€" Steve Dunkelberger

The grand overview shows a bald spot along the right side where lights should go.

The Johnsons of University Place find themselves signs instead of looking at an empty field where lights should have been.

Sharks and kids chat about the lack of lights

Kathryn Dunkelberger and Arden Johnson remain chipper after an ordeal of Zoolights without lots of lights.