ASHEBORO, NC - The North Carolina Zoo will hold the first of five October weekend events on Saturday, Oct. 1, as part of ZooFEST 2011, featuring Native American music, dance, storytelling and crafts at the North America and Junction plazas from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Additionally, there will be Native American dancing at the Junction Plaza at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m.

Family entertainment will continue at the zoo in upcoming Saturdays throughout the month. On Saturday, Oct. 8, the park will celebrate the Parade of Puppets, when visitors can get creative with puppet-making crafts and join in the giant puppet parades.

On Saturday, Oct.15, a HOWL-O-Ween event will give zoo visitors a chance to learn about the conservation efforts for red wolves. Wolf-awareness information stations, educational activities and zoo keeper talks will highlight the day.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, zoo visitors can discover the good nature of bats during the park's Batology event.

In the final weekend, Oct. 29 & 30, the zoo will come alive with its annual Boo at the Zoo, featuring two magical days of family entertainment and Halloween fun with games, treats, costume parades and contests each day.

All the weekend fun takes place during regular zoo hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is included in the regular zoo admission of $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+) and $8 for children (ages 2-12).

Coca-Cola is the signature sponsor for all zoo special events this year.

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary; Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor.

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