LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The Los Angeles Zoo has concluded the first of two weekend Halloween celebrations with trick-or-treating, animal encounters, pumpkin activities and live entertainment, with the second starting just in time for the holiday.
The annual “Boo at the LA Zoo” celebration will return Oct. 31-Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the zoo.
The event will feature six trick-or-treat stations distributing Halloween candy from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, with stations located along the route from the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo to Treetop Terrace, according to the zoo.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own trick-or-treat bags or purchase them at zoo gift shops. Candy will be available while supplies last, officials said.
Halloween Headquarters at Treetop Terrace will offer games and activities throughout the four-day celebration, including pumpkin painting for an additional fee.
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater will present live performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Visitors will also encounter costumed characters from family-friendly Halloween movies and television programs at the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, with different characters appearing each day.
Officials said a new inflatable corn maze will be available for children, and five Halloween-themed photo locations will be set up at Selig Plaza, Marketplace, the children’s zoo, Rose Garden and Treetop Terrace.
Animal activities will include pumpkin-themed enrichment demonstrations, allowing guests to watch zoo animals interact with seasonal treats and objects.
Zookeepers will also present talks about vultures and condors at noon each event day at the World of Birds Show Theater, highlighting the birds’ importance to the environment.
The zoo’s Conservation Expo, located at the Rose Garden near the flamingo habitat, will provide information about bat, vulture and condor conservation.
Visitors can also explore the zoo’s LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles) exhibits, featuring reptiles, amphibians, rare snakes, poisonous frogs, arachnids and venomous lizards.
The celebration will offer visitors an opportunity to suggest a name for one of four new Boer goat kids at the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, according to the zoo. Three of the young goats have already been named Karoo, Imbuzi and Bokkie, but their one-horned sister remains unnamed.
Guests can submit name suggestions at the barnyard area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the event. Zoo officials said the selected name will be announced later on social media.
Visitors are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, although full-face masks, weapons, obscenity and anything that could disturb guests or animals are prohibited.
The Halloween activities are included with regular zoo admission or an active zoo membership.
Additional information is available at lazoo.org.
