Halloween Begins Early at Boo at the Zoo

In just nine days, the biggest event of the year for the Abilene Zoo will commence. Boo at the Zoo is a popular Halloween party that will take place at the Abilene Zoo on Oct. 29.

The doors for the Halloween party will open at 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 29., and until 6:00 p.m., children of all ages can explore the 13 acres of zoo creatures.

Tickets are available to be purchased in advance, with a discounted price of $4.50 for adults and children three and up. People out of town are able to call the Abilene Zoo Store and purchase tickets over the phone. If tickets are purchased at the gate, they will be five dollars for adults and children three and up.

Kelly Thompson, marketing and development coordinator for the Abilene zoo said, “This is our 22^nd annual Boo at the Zoo! It started in 1994 as just two hours of trick-or-treating on one evening, and has grown to an all-day event where as many as 10,000 people attend!”

Now, this event wouldn’t be a true Halloween party if kids could not dress up in their costumes. In light of the Halloween spirit, kids are able to come dressed. Thompson explained, “There [will be] costume contests every 30 minutes throughout the whole day.”

The costume contest will be located in the pavilion.

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New this year will be a Trick or Treat Town.

“It’s an area where we’re going to have three bounce houses out, and crafts, games and extra treat spots. It’s going to be a fun area,” Thompson said.

Along with the Trick or Treat Town, there will be around 32 treat stops along the pathways. The Boo at the Zoo Facebook said, “To underscore the zoo’s mission to encourage conservation, trick-or-treaters are encouraged to bring their own reusable treat bags to collect candy.”

Thompson added, “The volunteers who come in and set up the treat stops always come up with something fun and creative. There is actually a contest among their booths, whoever has the best treat stop [wins].”

Merchants or organizations interested in hosting a treat stop at Boo at the Zoo can call Events Coordinator Flavia Fernandes at 325-437-4914, or email her for an information packet at [email protected].

Thompson concluded, “It’s a pretty time to see the zoo because it has been such a rain-filled season. We’re blooming, and the weather has been nice. This is the biggest event of the year.”