Trick or Treat with the Animals at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo!
SYRACUSE, NY, September 30, 2021 — One of Central New York’s most popular fall events, Zoo Boo is back at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo -- and it’s expanded to four October weekends leading up to and including Halloween.
The Friends of the Zoo will turn the zoo into a “kooky, not spooky” Halloween haunt featuring 10 treat and prize stations around the outdoor zoo, creepy-crawly encounters with zoo animals, keeper chats, games, pop-up dance parties, fun photo ops and more.
Costumes are encouraged, and entire families often get into the spirit with collective costume efforts on a group theme. To boost the fun, the zoo is suggesting different costume themes for each of the four weekends. The themes are:
- October 9-10: Animals
- October 16-17: Witches and Wizards
- October 23-24: Superheroes
- October 30-31: Your favorite costume
“We are so happy to be having Zoo Boo back at the zoo this year,” said Friends of the Zoo Executive Director Carrie Large. “It’s the perfect opportunity for outdoor family fun during our beautiful Central New York fall weekends. We can’t wait to see all the happy people in clever costumes enjoying Zoo Boo!”
Zoo Boo takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from October 9 through Halloween, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Advance sale tickets to participate in the trick-or-treating are available at rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
Advance tickets are $7 for zoo members and $8 for non-members, while day-of tickets purchased at the door will be $8 members and $9 non-members. Zoo Boo tickets do not include zoo admission, which is free for zoo members. See the most affordable membership options at rosamondgiffordzoo.org/members. Proceeds from Zoo Boo benefit animal care and conservation at the zoo.
All treat stations at Zoo Boo will offer toys and prizes in addition to candy. All edible treats given out contain only sustainably sourced palm oil or none at all in keeping with the zoo’s conservation mission. Check which brands of Halloween treats do not contain palm oil obtained by harming rainforests and their animal residents at https://bit.ly/2XYyydI.
IF YOU GO
What: Zoo Boo at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
When: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, October 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31.
Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY, 13204
Why: Proceeds benefit animal care and conservation at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Cost: $7 zoo members, $ 8 non-members in advance, $8 members, $9 non-members at the door. Zoo Boo tickets do not include zoo admission, which is free for zoo members. Advance tickets are available at rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
Note: Wear a costume and bring a treat bag! Face masks are required indoors at the zoo, but most of Zoo Boo takes place outside.