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TRACY - Little kids can't resist animals, and there were plenty of both Saturday in Central Park in Tracy for Box Car Days.

Zoo Express introduced kids and parents to such exotic animals as bearded dragons, chinchillas and ferrets. Nicki Pederson of Great Plains Zoo held each animal and told those gathered around what it was and some of its more unique features.

Trae Moua of Mankato liked the chinchilla and wanted one.

"I never had a pet that could jump that high," he said.

Hailey Pierson of Tracy liked the horses in the petting zoo.

"It's my favorite animal," she said.

Other unusual animals in the petting zoo were also a hit.

Elise Gustafson of Tracy was holding out a handful of grain for the llama and goats to nibble.

"That was her first time ever doing that," said her dad Brad Gustafson.

It was those simple pleasures of small-town life that had many of the parents bringing their kids back to the place they grew up.

Nancy Sweely of Stewart had just escorted her daughter, Savanna Sweely, around on the pony ride.

"My husband, David Sweely, grew up in Tracy until he was 2," she said.

"His grandpa used to own the Standard Station in Tracy. We come back every year for Box Car Days."

Alisa Louwagie of Esko watched her son, Tyler, feed the animals in the petting zoo.

"I'm originally from Tracy and he's from Milroy," she said of herself and her husband, Corey Louwagie.

Tyler's grandparents are Doug and Jane Louwagie, and Dan and Elise Lanoue.

Joseph Verschelde of Minneota "came to see grandpa," said his mom, Janelle Verschelde, as he checked out the ambulance on display.

Suzie Anderson of Farmington watched her son, Ryder, stand on the seat of the 1938 pumper on display by the Tracy Fire Department.

"My in-laws live here, Bob and Kathy Anderson," she said.

Bella Christopherson, 7 months, of Northfield was all dressed up for the Women of Today Kiddie Parade in Central Park.

"I grew up here," said her mom, Daisy Christopherson.

Zachary Skoblik of Vesta and Stori Moua of Mankato, both 1 1/2 years, showed off their athletic sides as a wrestler and his little cheerleader for the Kiddie Parade.

Zachary's parents, Chelsea Cooreman and Austin Skoblik, went to school in Tracy.

Stori's parents, Rathana and Kayce Moua, are from Tracy as well.