FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  

For more information, contact:

Susan Altrui

501-661-7208 direct

501-351-0273 cell

saltrui@littlerock.gov

Boo at the Zoo Features New Hay Ride, Enchanted Forest, & “Day of the Dead” Celebration

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 1, 2013) – Arkansas’ largest Halloween festival, Boo at the Zoo, is back for its 22^nd year and bigger and better than ever with new attractions and a new special “Day of the Dead” holiday celebration!

New Enchanted Forest

New to BOO will be an enchanted forest walkway near the Zoo’s main entrance where a bewitching pathway takes guests on a magical garden tour.  Custom animatronic plants make the Zoo’s horticulture come to life after dark! Spooky lights and special effects make the forest a fun new edition to BOO that is free with general admission. 

New Haunted Hay Ride

BOO will also feature a new Haunted Hay Ride this year that will leave from the Zoo’s train station and take guests on a fun haunted journey around the Zoo’s train tracks. The new hay ride will allow families to ride together and will be a fun new edition to BOO.

New “Day of the Dead” Celebration

For the first time ever, Boo at the Zoo will open an additional night on Friday, November 1, for Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and other parts of the world on November 1 to honor and remember the dead.  The Zoo has partnered with Hola Arkansas to showcase this special evening and will have Hispanic dancers and food vendors on hand and will showcase customs common to the holiday.  Regular BOO activities will also proceed as usual. 

New Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags for Members Only

BOO goes green this year by encouraging families to bring their own, reusable trick-or-treat bags and is offering free reusable trick-or-treat bags to each member household as a perk of Zoo membership.  Zoo members can pick-up their bag at the Zoo Member Hospitality Tent located inside the event while supplies last.

Other Attractions & Amenities

There’s a lot to do at Boo at the Zoo. So much so that many find it hard to hit every attraction in one night! Below is a list of the attractions and amenities offered at Boo at the Zoo 2013:

Adults Only Night

Adults can preview Boo at the Zoo at the adults-only BOO Preview on Thursday, October 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests will “trick-or-treat” for tasty beverages and groove to the tunes of a live cover band.  All attractions and amenities of BOO will be available during Adult Night and guests are encouraged to wear costumes for the costume contest.  Cost is $25 per person and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.LittleRockZoo.com/boopreview or by calling (501) 661-7208.

Bounce Houses

Boo at the Zoo will offer several “bounce house” inflatable playhouses this year for additional tickets.  Ticket prices will vary according to the attraction but those with wristbands are admitted for free every time. 

Beasts & Bones

The Zoo’s Education Outreach Department and Docent Volunteers will set-up a fun, interactive experience where children and adults alike can meet live “creatures of the night” such as owls and opossums, and can also learn about dinosaurs by digging through a large “sandpit” for fake dinosaur bones. These biofacts help educate the public about animals of all types and the importance of conservation.  This attraction is included with general admission.

Frankenstein’s Dance Party

Dr. Frankenstein has brought out all the monsters for a monster bash like no other at Frankenstein’s Dance Party! This fun dance party takes place at the main entry plaza at the Zoo under the “dome” complete with a disco ball, moving lights, and a DJ spinning all the latest family-friendly dance tunes.  Families will also enjoy watching local dance studios perform the famed “Thriller” dance in full costume and enjoy dancing the night away or watching others groove to the tunes! This attraction is included with general admission.

Haunted House

The Haunted House is a favorite attraction of BOO and is a great attraction for older children.  The Haunted House is not recommended for children under the age of eight but is great for those wanting a little more fright to their night! Larry West and his team of villains have cooked-up another scary tour of terrors complete with a dramatic ending that will leave you screaming for more! This attraction requires tickets for admission.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.

Kid’s Carnival Area

A favorite attraction of BOO is the Kid’s Carnival Area featuring fun games kids can play for prizes.  This new attraction has become one of the most popular areas of BOO and is great for kids who don’t like the scarier side of Halloween.  Carnival games take tickets and ticket prices vary according to the game.  Wristbands are admitted free for every game.

Live Music

Every night of BOO a live band will perform in the concession courtyard.  This is free to any person attending the event. A live band will also perform the night of Adult Night.

Magic Show

Ring 29 Magicians are back with their popular magic show at the Civitan Amphitheater. The nightly magic shows will feature family-friendly magicians performing fun and entertaining tricks that entertain children and adults of all ages.  Ring 29 consists of some of the most professional magicians in Arkansas and you’ll be impressed with what they pull out of their hat! This attraction is included with general admission.

Rides

Several rides will help make BOO a scream including a rocket simulator, swirling teacups, spinning hamster balls, and other fun rides.  Rides take additional tickets and vary in price.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.

S ’mores Station & Free Hiland Dairy Milk

Hiland Dairy is back as a BOO sponsor and will be at the s’mores station passing-out free milk.  Orange Scream milk, chocolate milk, and low-fat milk will be offered free of charge to Zoo patrons on behalf of Hiland Dairy. There’s no better way to wash down a s’mores!  S’mores are included with trick-or-treat tickets that are given with general admission or wristband admission and milk is free, as well. 

Toy Trick-or-Treat Option

In an effort to lessen the consumption of candy at Halloween, BOO is now offering a toy trick-or-treat option where children can trick-or-treat for toys instead of candy.  Each BOO guest gets six trick-or-treat tickets so some may choose a mixture of candy and toys.  Either way, BOO now offers fun options for the trick-or-treat experience!  Trick-or-treat tickets are provided with both general and wristband admission.

Dates for BOO

BOO opens Thursday, October 17, Adults Only night and opens officially to the public Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20 and reopens Friday, October 25 through Thursday, October 31 and on Friday, November 1 for Dia de los Muertos.

Admission Tickets & Wristbands

General admission to BOO is $10 per person and includes admission to the event, trick-or-treating, s ’mores, and several free attractions that are included with general admission.  Wristband admission is $20 per person and includes admission to the event, trick-or-treating, s ‘mores, all free attractions, and unlimited admission to rides and amenities such as the Haunted House, Haunted Hay Ride, inflatable bounce houses, carnival games and other attractions (excluding fortune teller and concessionaires).  Tickets are available for purchase online in advance at a discounted rate of $8 for general admission and $18 for wristband admission at www.LittleRockZoo.com/boo and are also available at the front gate at the Little Rock Zoo now through 4:00 p.m. October 18^.  Anyone purchasing a ticket in advance can enter BOO through the ticket pre-sales express entry gate.

Parking & Shuttle Service

Parking during Boo at the Zoo is free and shuttle service will be available throughout War Memorial Park. 

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

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