Introduction

Celebrate Halloween at “Boo at the Zoo”

Celebrate Halloween at “Boo at the Zoo”

Families make their way through the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo during the annual Boo at the Zoo event on Tuesday Oct. 31, 2017 in Gainesville, FL. Zoo faculty, staff and students dress in costumes and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.  (photo by Matt Stamey/Santa Fe College)
Come enjoy Halloween at “Boo at the Zoo” at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo.

October 29, 2018 – Celebrate Halloween at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, as they present the 24th Annual “Boo at the Zoo” Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 3 – 7:30 p.m.

The zoo will be closed during that day so the SF Teaching Zoo students and staff can transform the zoo into a family-friendly Halloween wonderland. Once the gates open at 3 p.m., admission to the zoo will be one canned good per person. The collected canned goods will be donated to Catholic Charities and Gainesville Harvest food banks to help students and families in need. Last year, almost 6,000 cans were collected from families that attended “Boo at the Zoo.”

 

Trick-or-treaters need to make sure they have a bag or bucket to collect all of the candy at Boo at the Zoo. And the candy the zoo gives out is all from companies that promote the sustainable use of palm oil. Palm oil comes from the African oil palm tree, which, when planted, destroys the habitat of wild gibbons. By using companies that promote sustainable use, they help protect the future of gibbons.

There will be plenty of other entertainment on hand as well. Danscompany of Gainesville will be there performing “Thriller” several times during the event. Fun 4 Gator Kids will have an interactive KidZone set up. And Dominos will be at the zoo, providing pizza and refreshments for a small fee.

There are a few rules and regulations for everyone who attends:

  • Please do not feed the animals, or the people dressed like animals.
  • Although you can dress up like your pet if you want to, pets are not permitted at the zoo.
  • Please stay on the pathways and respect any barriers even if you can fly or are a ghost that cannot be restrained by this dimension.
  • If you are coming to the zoo at 6 p.m. or later, it is recommended that you bring a flashlight with you to help navigate the trails.
  • Please keep all wigs, tails, ears, wings, capes, fins, eyes and other costume accessories on at all times.
  • And please, place all litter (that includes candy wrappers) in the proper trash receptacles.

Happy Halloween from the students and staff at the SF Teaching Zoo!