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BROOKFIELD – There's always plenty to do at Brookfield Zoo, but Halloween fun will be added to the mix during the last two weekends of October at the annual Boo! at the Zoo event.
The family-friendly festival is one of the zoo’s biggest, attracting more than 100,000 people over four days in 2016.
“This is one of our more long-standing events,” said Carolyn Wilkin, Brookfield Zoo’s marketing manager. “Halloween has grown in popularity over the years and so has our event.”
Boo! at the Zoo, which started in the 1970s as a children’s zoo activity, has grown significantly over the years, and it is held over two weekends.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29. Zoo admission is $19.85 for adults and $14.50 for children ages 3 to 11 and seniors 65 and older.
There is no extra charge for most of the Boo! at the Zoo activities. And there is no shortage of activities.
Boo! at the Zoo features a haunted hayride, corn maze and hourly pumpkin smashing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meanwhile, professional carvers will be on hand to apply their skills to massive pumpkins weighing between 1,600 and 2,000 pounds.
A highlight of the event, the costume parade, kicks off at 1 p.m. in front of the Discovery Center and proceeds to the West Mall. The parade is followed by a costume contest. Winners in five categories will be selected by a panel of judges.
Many families are fully invested in the event, with adults and children alike conveying a theme with their costumes and decorated strollers.
“It’s definitely family friendly,” Wilkin said.
Pumpkins will be given to the animals during the event as well.
Grizzly and polar bears will get their gourds at 11 a.m. Oct. 21, and the wolves get their turn at noon. On Oct. 22, pumpkins will be given to the orangutans and gorillas at 10:15 a.m. Sloath bears, big cats, rhinos, hogs and hippos get their turn the following weekend.
A DJ will be on hand, and a variety of children’s games and Halloween crafts also will be provided. Participants will get the chance to decorate a spooky cookie as well.
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If you go
WHAT: Boo! at the Zoo
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29
WHERE: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield
COST: $19.85 for adults and $14.50 for children and seniors
INFO: czs.org/boo