ASHEBORO, NC – Little ghosts and goblins will once again haunt the North Carolina Zoo this weekend during Boo at the Zoo, the zoo’s annual daytime Halloween event, this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. 

The largest and oldest annual event at the zoo will see the Africa Amphitheatre transformed into a magical carnival with games, prizes, candy, music, and  the grand costume contest both days at 2 p.m.

Tailored for children ages 2-12, Boo at the Zoo will feature a variety of games including a “guess the weight of the great pumpkin” contest, face painting, trick-or-treating, and entertainment including music, drumming and dance on the Africa Amphitheatre stage. Performers include UNITE, Native American Dancers, Paperhand Puppets, Healing Force and perennial favorite “the world famous Kazoobe and his all kazoo band.”

Registration for the costume contest begins at 1 p.m. each day and includes three age divisions -- infant through age3, ages 4-7 and ages 8-12. Prizes will be awarded to the top three costumes in each age group.

Participants can also enjoy special nature activities at KidZone and receive FBI Child ID kits at the North America entrance.

A safe and fun alternative to nighttime trick-or-treating, Boo at the Zoo encourages kids to dress in their best costumes and come to the zoo for a day of excitement. Adult costumes, masks, and face paint are prohibited.

                                                                                           

About the North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo provides an experience like no other zoo anywhere. With five miles of exhibits, nearly 2,000 animals and 52,000 plants it is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world and an international leader in wildlife conservation.

Find yourself surrounded by some of Africa’s giants including elephants, rhinos, and giraffes; share the love of gorillas with Mosuba and his six-member troop; polar bears Nikita and Anana take polar plunges every day at the Rocky Coast Exhibit; or join in the fun at the mud café in the Kidzone.

Located in center of the state in Asheboro, it is convenient to visit from anywhere in North Carolina. The North Carolina Zoo welcomes nearly 750,000 guests each year. Plan your adventure at www.nczoo.org.

 

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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