A spooktacular tradition

by Sean McCarthy

‘Tis the season for trick-or-treating!

In fact, the Buttonwood Park Zoo is making this holiday pastime more interesting and enjoyable than ever with another year of Boo At The Zoo.

It’s not just about trick-ortreating though – the days are filled with fun events like a daily costume contest, a pumpkin decorating contest, a themed obstacle course, themed animal enrichment and visits with some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors, as well as candy, food, arts and crafts, and more candy! This New Bedford landmark is once again creating wonderful weekends in October for children and families, transforming the grounds to offer a memorable Halloween experience for all.

“We want children and families to have fun in a safe space,” says the Zoo’s Events and Marketing Manager, Kris Caisse. “It’s held during the daytime and there’s a lot to do. The staff is super excited.”

Now in its 21st year, “Boo At The Zoo” will be held for three weekends in October: those of the 15th, 22nd, and 29th. The doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 pm. Tickets are available online only at bpzoo.org. The event has sold out in past years, so don’t delay.

“If you don’t have a situation where you can take your kids trick-or-treating, this is a great opportunity,” Caisse says. “We’ve been successful over the years due to the support we receive from the community. We have a lot of sponsors and volunteers who become involved in things like helping set up the event, handing out candy, or even entertainment.” The

Zoo grounds will be transformed with fun, (slightly) spooky Halloween and fall decorations. After hitting the Trick or Treat Trail, guests can visit face painters and the fantasy characters, such as mermaids and pirates, or ride the Wildlife Carousel. The Zoo’s café will be open with fall favorites, such as cider, donuts, and candy apples. There will be photo booths, photo ops, and an opportunity to see the animal residents enjoying their own holiday treats.

“This isn’t a scary, nighttime event,” Caisse says. “It’s like a typical day at the zoo, but it’s devoted to celebrating Halloween. We welcome families. In the past we’ve had entire families dressed up in costumes around a theme. We encourage people to be creative and have fun.”

Volunteers play a huge part in making the event successful, and volunteering is a great opportunity to give back to a beloved community institution. People interested in volunteering for “Boo At The Zoo” can contact Josh Thompson at jthompson@ bpzoo.org.

Learn more about the Buttonwood Park Zoo all year long by visiting bpzoo.org.

A zoo for all seasons

The Buttonwood Park Zoo, established in 1894, is the 12th oldest zoo in the United States. The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, a private, nonprofit organization, was founded in 1969 to support the zoo so that it will be a significant contributor to the conservation of wildlife, both locally and globally. The zoo features over 240 species, most notably Asian elephants, bison, cougars, black bears, eagles, seals, otters, South American primates, and numerous waterfowl species. The Buttonwood Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and has been recognized as "one of the finest small zoos in the United States.”