Zoo Tampa’s Christmas In The Wild Is Back

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to take my kids to Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa.

It's back again this year. The park is lit so beautifully, and it just gets you in the Christmas spirit.

You can walk through cool exhibits like Lantern Lullaby, Gingerbread Jubilee and Forest of Fantasy. And you can enjoy light and music shows that are performed every 15 minutes or so.

Christmas in the Wild happens select nights through December 30th.

You must make reservations to go.

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Froggy’s Hess truck collection is one of his secret passions. Undoubtedly, you're familiar with Hess branded gas. In 1960, the first Hess branded gas station opened. The company wanted to offer a gift for the holidays that represented the gas stations. So, in 1964 the company introduced the Hess Toy Truck. It's a holiday season favorite that is fun for the whole family. The toy truck was affordable and was created with incredible craftsmanship and electronic innovation. It's a battery-operated toy that has stood the test of time.

Froggy and his Dad have at least 3 of every single Hess truck ever developed. It started when his Dad and his Dad's brother started collecting them when the very first ones were released. Every single year since Froggy was a kid, he remembers his Father being obsessed with getting the brand-new truck of the year. It was fun for Froggy to make guesses as to what the new truck would look like. "Maybe it will be a rocket tied to a monster truck this year?"

Froggy has a lot of trucks but has not let his sons see them yet. He has the idea that they might open them and ruin the value of the trucks, but he is starting to soften on his stance. Maybe if Froggy’s Hess trucks are eventually handed down to his sons, they will appreciate them more for their story and be less inclined to smash them into the wall. Froggy is asked which of his trucks are his favorites, and he usually answers, "Anything with a rocket is a good Hess truck." And yes, some of them actually come with a rocket on them as part of a particular year's packaged toy.

Let's check out some of Froggy's Hess trucks.

The 2007 Hess Monster Truck is a very rugged truck. Some of the features are real head and tail lights, multiple sounds and comes with two motorcycles complete with lights and friction motors. There are three buttons on the top of the roll bar that have features like a start engine sound, revving sound & a honking horn sound for hours of fun! The box has a picture of the truck on both sides with a Hess station in the background and a winter scene. A picture of the truck is on one end and the rear on the other end flap. The top of the box displays the Hess logo and says” Monster truck with Motorcycles” with a winter scene in the background and Christmas trees. The difference on this box is that there is the Hess Express in the background. Hess changed the name of their stores in 1998.

This 2013 truck includes: 38 lights, ignition, horn and backup alerts. It also has a sound enhanced working hydraulic arm. The Front End Loader Features include: 18 working lights, forward and reverse motion and moveable bucket arm with a working shovel. The box has a picture of the truck on both sides with a Hess station in the background and a winter scene. A picture of the truck is on one end and the rear on the other end flap. The top of the box displays the Hess logo and says” Toy truck and Front Loader” with a winter scene in the background and Christmas trees. The difference on this box is that there is the Hess Express in the background. Hess changed the name of their stores in 1998.

The truck features include: 38 working lights, ignition, horn and backup alerts. Also includes a sound enhanced working hydraulic arm. The Front End Loader Features include: 18 working lights, forward and reverse motion and moveable bucket arm with a working shovel. The box has a picture of the truck on both sides with a Hess station in the background and a winter scene. A picture of the truck is on one end and the rear on the other end flap. The top of the box displays the Hess logo and says” Toy truck and Front Loader” with a winter scene in the background and Christmas trees. The difference on this box is that there is the Hess Express in the background. Hess changed the name of their stores in 1998.

Following a long tradition of craftsmanship and innovation, this year’s truck has four-wheel spring suspension and a pull-out ramp that automatically activates a hydraulic sound. The truck cab features three more sound effects and flashing lights. The truck’s flatbed trailer carries a race car modeled after an American stock car that sports a pull-back racing motor and Hess Express logo. A push of the race car’s gas cap activates flashing lights and the sound of the car’s engine.

Part 1 of Froggy's Hess Truck Collection