MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
From costumed youngsters collecting candy to visitors braving nighttime jump scares, the Hutchinson Zoo is preparing for two different kinds of Halloween celebrations.
The 33rd annual Boo at the Zoo will welcome families Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., while Haunted Zoo will offer evening tours Friday through Sunday from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Gail Malaby of the Hutchinson Zoo said Boo at the Zoo draws a couple thousand visitors each year for an afternoon of candy, animal encounters and family activities.
“It’s definitely a family-friendly event that the kids kind of look forward to coming to every year,” Malaby said during an interview on KWBW’s BW Morning Show.
Community organizations and nonprofits will host candy stations throughout the zoo. Other attractions include a bounce house, lawn games, photo stations and railroad rides. The Hutchinson Public Library also will provide a story walk.
Keepers will be stationed throughout the grounds to answer questions about the animals. Visitors also can feed the fish and interact with animals in the mini farm.
The zoo will be closed Saturday morning so keepers can complete animal care duties before the event begins.
Admission to Boo at the Zoo is free. Organizers encourage families to register through the zoo’s website for arrival times spaced at 15-minute intervals.
Malaby said timed entry helps spread out the crowds, shorten lines and give families a more enjoyable visit.
While the afternoon offers several activities, she said many young visitors arrive with one clear priority.
“To be honest, it’s all about the candy,” Malaby said.
After dark, Haunted Zoo will bring a different atmosphere to the grounds through a collaboration between the Hutchinson High School Thespian Club and Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo.
The event serves as a joint fundraiser, with students and their sponsor developing the Halloween storyline and staging scares along the tour route.
Past versions have used the zoo’s train. This year, visitors will travel through the zoo grounds, encountering students stationed along the way.
“It kind of turns the zoo into a haunted house,” Malaby said.
Tours begin at 6:30 p.m., with the final group departing around 8:45 p.m. Tickets cost $6 per person.
There are no age restrictions, but Malaby said the jump scares make Haunted Zoo better suited to older children. Families bringing younger children should consider an earlier session, when there is more daylight.
Tickets and time slots can be reserved through the zoo’s website. Visitors also may purchase tickets at the gate, although admission to a particular session will depend on available space.
Malaby encouraged advance purchases to help visitors avoid longer waits and secure their preferred tour time.