The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is turning into a “kooky, not spooky” Halloween haunt for two weekends before Halloween with Zoo Boo.
Zoo Boo is a popular fall event that whole families often wear costumes to attend. Friends of the Zoo and several sponsors offer 10 treat stations throughout the zoo, including non-candy alternatives like toys, vampire teeth and stickers.
Zoo Boo participants enjoy Halloween games and activities as well as animal encounters with some of the zoo’s creepy-crawly creatures. Zoo Boo highlights include Visit the Fortune-teller, potion demonstrations from the local chapter of the American Chemical Society and photo ops with the 1,200-pound Pumpkin of Pachyderm Proportions. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and bring treat bags.
Zoo Boo takes place Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. The cost is $8 per child in addition to zoo admission (which is free to zoo members). Zoo members may purchase tickets in advance online at syracusezooevents.org. Tickets are good for any of the four Zoo Boo days.
Non-members must buy Zoo Boo tickets at the zoo on Zoo Boo days in addition to paying zoo admission. For information on zoo membership, visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org/members.
Friends of the Zoo President Janet Agostini said the event attracts many families and groups of friends who make it an annual tradition.
“We love seeing the smiles and excitement, not just on the faces of little ones but entire extended families that dress up on a theme and have a wonderful time at Zoo Boo,” Agostini said. “People enjoy Zoo Boo so much that we start getting questions about it in mid-summer.”
All edible treats given out at Zoo Boo contain only sustainably sourced palm oil in keeping with the zoo’s conservation mission. Check to see if your Halloween treats harm the rainforests at www.cmzoo.org/index.php/conservation-matters/palm-oil-crisis.
Zoo Boo Animal Demo Schedule
- 10:30 a.m. – Meet the Keeper, reptile, upper lobby
- 11:30 a.m. – Meet the Keeper, gray wolf
- 1:30 p.m. – Meet the Keeper, “creepy crawly,” upper lobby
- 2:30 p.m. – Meet the Keeper, Eagle-owl or African pied crow, outdoor birds