"Kooky not Spooky" Is Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Zoo Boo Theme

By Lorrell Walter

Syracuse, NY - The great Zoo Boo is coming to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park on Fridays and Saturdays, October 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. With its “kooky not spooky” theme and its hauntingly hilarious interactive characters and sets, Zoo Boo allows children and families to have Halloween fun without fright.

“Zoo Boo is one of the zoo’s premier family events,” says Janet Agostini, Executive Director of Friends of the Zoo. “There are dozens of characters, incredible decorations and all the children dressed in their costumes. It’s a great way to celebrate the Halloween season.”

Young visitors will see the not-so-scary side of the zoo’s creepy crawly and “Halloweeny” animals in a special Halloween Zoo to You education presentation. New this year are the Ancient Tombs of Egypt and “Hollywood,” a place where children will have the chance to become local “celebrities.”

Zoo Boo visitors young and old are invited to participate in the pumpkin procession.  Participants should bring their already carved pumpkins to the zoo at 5:45 p.m. each event night for judging by a panel of Zoo Boo characters.  All participants will receive a small prize; one adult and one child will receive a special prize for having the best carved pumpkins.

The Zoo Boo schedule of events includes:

Scary-Cuse Stage
6:15 & 7:15 p.m.        Tom Knight*
6:15 & 7:15 p.m.        Captain Kelly, the Singing Pirate**
6:45 & 7:45 p.m.        Merry Mischief
8:15 p.m.                    Grand Finale
*October 17 & 18 only
**October 24 & 25 only

Sleepy Hollow Stage
6:30 & 7:30 p.m.        Bubble Mania
7:00 p.m.                    Captain Kelly, the Singing Pirate*
* October 17 & 18 only

The Dungeon
6:15 & 7:15 p.m.        Puppet Show

Cave Entrance
6:30 & 7:30 p.m.        Zoo to You

Zoo Boo tickets are now available at the zoo’s Membership Desk and at participating P&C Food and Pharmacy locations.  Advance sale tickets are $4.00.  At the door, they are $5 per person.  Children under three are free.  Zoo members and groups of 20 or more people can purchase discounted Zoo Boo tickets by calling (315) 435-8511 x113.  Tickets are good for any event night.  For more information or to purchase tickets, call (315) 435-8511 x113 or visit the zoo’s website at http://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/events_zoo-boo.asp.   The great Zoo Boo is sponsored by Child Health Plus and coordinated by Scarlett Rat Entertainment.