Spurred by idyllic weather, the return of a polar bear and a highly popular dinosaur exhibit, the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro set a new attendance record over the Memorial Day weekend. This past weekend’s three-day total of 37,165 visitors shattered the previous Memorial Day weekend record of 32,732 set in May 2008 by nearly 5,000 people. Daily totals of 14,015 on Saturday, 12,277 on Sunday and 10,873 on Monday were also new marks for the Memorial Day period. Zoo officials believe picture-perfect weather combined with media coverage of the reopening of the polar bear exhibit and a revitalized animatronic dinosaur exhibit combined to bring record numbers to the park.