ASHEBORO, NC – Little ghosts and goblins will once again be haunting the trails of the North Carolina Zoo when the Zoo holds its annual daytime Halloween celebration, Boo at the N.C. Zoo.

On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, the Zoo will come alive with two magical days of family fun featuring games, trick-or-treating, entertainment and costume contests. The two-day carnival is from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., each day in the Zoo's Africa Amphitheater.

All children 12 and under are encouraged to wear their Halloween best for the costume contests in the Africa Amphitheater. Judges will award prizes each day in three age categories for best costumes: infant through age 3; ages 4 – 7; and ages 8 – 12. Costume contest registration begins at 1 p.m., both days, and contestants take the stage for judges at 2 p.m. Adults wearing costumes, masks or with painted faces are not allowed inside the park.

A welcome table with treat bags will be in the Africa and North America entrances. Guests will have the chance to see the artistic side of zookeepers. Several assorted carved animal themed pumpkins that were created by zookeepers will be on display in North America Plaza.

Entertainment during Boo at the N.C. Zoo includes: Paperhand Puppets, UNITE Drummers, Healing Force, Rick Hubbard Kazoobie Show and Native American Dancers and Storytellers.

Pumpkin Palooza, which showcases animals playing with pumpkins in their exhibits will be in Zoo’s North America Region on Saturday and in the Africa Region on Sunday. There will also be periodic animal encounters at this year’s event and a special guest from the Zoo’s Dino World exhibit. Here is a link to video of the Zoo’s gorillas enjoying a sneak peek of Pumpkin Palooza http://ow.ly/TJlBH. Media outlets can share the video with their readers and viewers.

For times to catch other animals participating in Pumpkin Palooza, and to see when entertainers are performing visit the Zoo’s website www.nczoo.org.

All activities for Boo at the N.C. Zoo are included in the Zoo’s regular admission prices, which include: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (62+) and $11 for children (ages 2-12). 

 

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 

The North Carolina Zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C.  Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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