News release from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo:
Wild Zoo Halloween Opens October 16th
Popular event offers treats, pumpkins, and ‘merry-not-scary’ excitement
(September 24, 2015) – Kids and families are invited to experience the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank event October 16-18, 22-25, & 29-31 from 12-6 PM with last admission at 5 PM.
Now in its 37th year, the Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank offers adventure, family fun, and tasty treats that are just right for pint-sized guests.
Guests can trick-or-treat for candy at the Treat Trails, view zoo animals, meet Broomhilda the friendly witch, visit the Beauty Shop of Horrors, see giant-sized pumpkins, and more. Children can choose their own mini-pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes. Animal sculptures made out of pumpkins are always a guest favorite. Train riders will hear “Tale of the Twisted Tree” as they venture into the Franke Park woods.
New for 2015, the Wild Zoo Halloween path is rerouted to pass through the Indonesian Rain Forest, where guests can see Asmara the baby Sumatran orangutan before the zoo closes for the winter. Asmara was born November 22, 2014. Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered in the wild. In support of orangutan conservation, all treats at the Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank 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.
Theme days at the Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank include:
- October 16 – Plumpkin Day – Guess the weight of the Giant Pumpkin
- October 17 – Princess Day – Meet princesses from 1-3 PM
- October 18 – Mascot Day – Meet mascots from 2-4 PM
- October 22 – Free Carousel Rides
- October 23 – Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp – Animals get pumpkin treats
- October 24 – Hero Day – Meet local fire, police, and military from 1-3 PM
- October 25 – Star Wars Day – Meet Star Wars characters from 2-4 PM
- October 29 – Free Carousel Rides
- October 30 – Pumpkin Decorating Workshop – Decorate a mini pumpkin to take home
- October 31 – Cans for Conservation – Bring an empty aluminum can and get a free ride ticket (good for Z.O.&O. Railroad or Endangered Species Carousel only)
Details on all Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank events are at https://kidszoo.org/wild-zoo-halloween/
In addition to the Indonesian Rain Forest, the Central Zoo, portions of the Australian Adventure, and portions of the African Journey will be open during the event.
The Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank is a fundraiser for the zoo, which is a nonprofit organization receiving no tax funding for operations.
Admission to the Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank is $5 for all ages; admission with treats is $9 for all ages. Zoo Members receive $2 off admission. Babies age 1 and under are admitted free but are charged $4 if they receive treats. Additional fees are charged for the Z.O.&O. Railroad, Endangered Species Carousel, pony ride, and bracelet-making. Food is available for purchase.
Thanks to these generous sponsors for their support of the Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank: Star Financial Bank, Lutheran Health Network, Steel Dynamics, Inc, Sweetwater, BAE Systems, 3 Rivers Credit Union, Mainstay Solutions, NIPSCO, Bob Evans, Lee’s Famous Recipe, and Ellison Bakery.
The zoo remains open for the regular season through October 11 and re-opens for the Wild Zoo Halloween on October 16.
About the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s mission is to connect kids and animals, strengthen families, and inspire people to care. The zoo is northeast Indiana’s largest tourist attraction, hosting more than 550,000 guests annually. The zoo received the 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, 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 more than $80,000 annually to local, regional, and international efforts to protect wild animals and habitats, and participating in cooperative management programs for 91 endangered species and taxa. The zoo was named Northeast Indiana’s Sustainable Business of the Year in 2014.
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’s regular season ends on Sunday, October 11. Until then, the zoo is open 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily; last admission 5:00 PM; exhibits, rides, & buildings close at 5:30 PM; grounds close at 6:00 PM. Regular zoo admission is $14.00 for adults; $10.50 for seniors age 60+; and $9.00 for children ages 2-18. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.
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