Brookfield Zoo's Annual Boo! at the Zoo Offers Halloween Fun for Families

Submitted by the Chicago Zoological Society.

Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo Halloween celebration returns with not-so-scary and fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy on October 17-18 andOctober 24-25 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

During Boo! at the Zoo, presented by Bright StartSM College Savings, zoogoers can get into the Halloween spirit by learning about creepy crawlers like scorpions, giant spiders, and snakes. Each day during Boo! at the Zoo, special chats led by animal care staff will highlight interesting facts about these animals and more. Guests can head over to Australia House at11:30 a.m. for a chat about bats, then wander over to Regenstein Wolf Woods to learn about the Mexican gray wolves at noon. At Hamill Family Play Zoo, there will be a chat about spiders at12:30 p.m., followed by a chat about owls at 1:00 p.m. Across the way at The Swamp, there will be a chat about scorpions at 2:00 p.m. Families can slither over to Feathers and Scales for a snake chat at 2:30 p.m. Finally, back at Hamill Family Play Zoo, guests can meet the zoo’s ravens at 3:00 p.m.

Some animals will join in the fun when they receive Halloween treats at 11:00 a.m.Animals receiving pumpkins are rhinos on October 17; orangutans on October 18; sloth, grizzly, and polar bears on October 24; and lions on October 25.

On the zoo’s West Mall, guests can watch the Pumpkin Smasher demolish pumpkins into tiny pieces every hour. Professional pumpkin carver Steve Dahlke will be on hand and will use a variety of tools to create masterpieces out of gigantic 1,000-pound pumpkins. Zoogoers can pick up carving tips and tricks during his demonstrations and can even carve their own pumpkins to take home.

Ghosts and goblins of all ages can join in the popular costume parade, which kicks off at1:00 p.m. by the North Mall and goes around Roosevelt Fountain before concluding on the West Mall. Following the parade, guests can show off their Halloween attire in a costume contest beginning at 1:30 p.m. Judges will choose prize winners in four categories: scariest, best animal theme, most original, and best group theme.

Don’t want the fun to stop? Keep the good times rollin’ with a ride on the Haunted Hayride and a trek through the Craized Maize corn maze. The whole family can enjoy a spin on the Creepy Carousel, build a scarecrow at Hamill Family Play Zoo, and snap photos together at pumpkin patches throughout the park. In addition, guests can purchase and enjoy some fall treats: pumpkin soup and freshly baked cupcakes with Halloween-themed decorations.

General zoo admission is $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3-11 and seniors age 65 and over. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $10. For further information, visitwww.CZS.org/events or call (708) 688-8000.