News release from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo:
Halloween Fun for Little Ones at the Zoo
Wild Zoo Halloween offers treats, pumpkins, and ‘merry-not-scary’ excitement(September 24, 2013) – Kids and families are invited to experience the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s Wild Zoo Halloween event October 18-20, 24-27, & 31 from 1-6 PM daily.
The Wild Zoo Halloween offers adventure, family fun, and tasty treats that are just right for pint-sized guests.
Get candy at the Treat Trails, join the Monster Mash dance party, meet Broomhilda the friendly witch, discover the Mummy’s Kitchen, visit the Beauty Shop of Horrors, and more. Every child can choose their own mini-pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch. Animal sculptures made out of pumpkins are always a favorite. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes. Train riders will hear “Tale of the Twisted Tree” as they venture into the Franke Park woods. New this year is Superhero Day on October 20, where youngsters can meet Spiderman, Superman, and Batman in person.
Animal exhibits in the Central Zoo, the Indiana Family Farm, and portions of the Australian Adventure will be open. Theme days at the Wild Zoo Halloween include:
- October 18: Free Train Rides
- October 19: Princess Day
- October 20: Superhero Day
- October 24: Mascot Day
- October 25: Free Train Rides
- October 26: Star Wars Day
- October 27: Magic Day
- October 31: Pumpkin Decorating Workshop
Detailed schedules of all Wild Zoo Halloween events are available by clicking here.
Families, scouts, and schools can enter the 3rd annual Scarecrow Safari contest. Scarecrows will be on display throughout the Wild Zoo Halloween. Each participating group will be entered to win a free zoo field trip package valued at $139.
All treats offered at the Wild Zoo Halloween are palm-oil free or are manufactured by companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The sustainable production of palm oil is crucial to the survival of orangutans, because their rain forest habitat is often destroyed to create poorly managed and unsustainable palm oil plantations.
Admission for the Wild Zoo Halloween is $8 for children and $4 for adults. Zoo Members receive $2 off per person every day. Additional fees are charged for the train ride, pony ride, carnival-style games, bracelet-making, and face painting. Food is available for purchase.
Thanks to these generous sponsors for their support of the Wild Zoo Halloween: Lutheran Health Sports Center, Lee’s Famous Recipe, Ellison Bakery, Roller Dome, PHP, Lutheran Health Network, Mad Ants, Macy’s, MainStay Solutions, Bob Evans, Sam’s Club, BAE Systems, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Carson’s.
The zoo remains open for the regular season through October 13.
About the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is northeast Indiana’s largest tourist attraction, hosting more than 500,000 guests annually. The zoo was voted Indiana’s #1 “Gotta-Do Summer Attraction” and is consistently named one of the nation’s Top Ten Zoos for Kids by national media outlets.The zoo is a conservation leader, contributing $50,000 annually to local, regional, and international efforts to protect wild animals and habitats, and participating in cooperative management programs for 15 endangered species.
As a self-supporting facility, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo receives no tax dollars for operations. The zoo’s operations are funded entirely by earned revenue and donations.
The zoo is open through October 13, 2013. Admission is $13.50 for adults; $10.50 for seniors age 60+; and $8.50 for children ages 2-14. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.