Animals at the zoo sometimes play hide-and-seek, while others grovel for attention. The red panda today slept lazily on a rock, while the chimp nodded and chuckled at the crowd. Of course, they don’t have to go back to school soon.

Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding

A crowd there certainly was, as nearly 5,000 people by midday had visited the Chattanooga Zoo in Warner Park to see the animals and celebrate the new school year — or, for some, grieve the end of vacation.

The sixth annual Comcast First Day Festival, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m today, provided activities, education and sponsor tables with freebies and information on child care and the upcoming school year. Many pre-K-to-5 schools open Aug. 12.

Meanwhile, the zoo is open free of charge for the day.

Rivermont Elementary first-grader Davoneka Stoudemire, 6, and her family visited the petting zoo after picking up some school supplies. She and her brother looked at the shetland ponies.

“I like horses, ponies, and I like pigs and I like goats and dogs, and I like raccoons,” she said after careful consideration.

For complete coverage read tomorrow’s Times Free Press.