Rosamond Gifford Zoo to host Zoo Boo Halloween events

SYRACUSE, N.Y. >> The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is turning into a “kooky, not spooky” Halloween haunt for two weekends before Halloween with its Zoo Boo event.

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 noncandy alternatives like toys, vampire teeth and stickers.

Zoo Boo participants can enjoy Halloween games and activities as well as animal encounters with some of the zoo’s creepycrawly creatures. Zoo Boo highlights include a visit with 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, October 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 www.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 www.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.”

This year’s Zoo Boo is sponsored by Fidelis Care, Cryomech, Dot Foods, Geddes Federal Savings and Loan, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, Y94-FM, Pete’s Party Rentals, and Bitsy’s snacks.

All edible treats given out at ZooBoo contain only sustainably sourced palmoil 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

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Children participate in a previous Zoo Boo Halloween event.

A fortune-teller during a previous Zoo Boo event.