Boo! at the Zoo draws in thousands of attendees for Halloween festivities

BOO! At the Knoxville Zoo was presented this year by US Cellular. This event is Knoxville’s largest Halloween event lasting 12 nights, over the span of 3 weekends. It draws in thousands of attendees each year for Halloween fun. This event is perfect for children of all ages and their families. BOO at the Zoo has been held for 30 years and brings in a lot of attraction to the Knoxville Zoo.

During the events, children and their parents would line up along a trail to collect their treats and candy. No participant went home without bags full of candy.

“My kids love attending this event, and we look forward to getting dressed up each year to come,” Alison Sipos, a parent attending the event with her kids, said.

BOO at the Zoo has over 30 stations to pick up candy from, as well as activities at the Monster Mash tent and a Zoo Boo Choo to ride.

Many event workers dress up in costumes, waiting for photo ops with the children and their families. This year’s costumes included Disney princesses, Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and more. This year’s event also had a “Scary- go -round.” This is the only haunted carousel in East Tennessee, and it goes backwards.

“This is the best way to get volunteer hours for any required need, because it is so much fun! We all get to take some candy home too,” Taylor Poe, an event volunteer from Powell High School, said.

BOO! at the Zoo attendee, Alyssa Rasberry, said she has been attending this event since she was young. “I will never miss a BOO! at the Zoo event, I can’t wait to one day bring my kids here too,” Rasberry said.

The cost of Boo! At the Zoo was $9 per person, and children under age four were admitted free. U.S Cellular customers and Zoo members were given a $2 discount off the regular price. The eventful evenings lasted from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. each night. From the thousands of attendees, BOO! At the Zoo seems to be a success year after year. It takes place all around the country at many zoos and they never run out of candy.

Featured image by Rylee Barnes

Edited by Kaitlin Flippo