Prepare to Get HalloWILD at Micke Grove Zoo
From 10AM-3PM on Saturday, October 26, Micke Grove Zoo will be taken over by miniature ghosts, goblins, and Batman characters for its annual Halloween event, HalloWILD, hosted by the Micke Grove Zoological Society. HalloWILD is a safe, family friendly event including Halloween- themed games, crafts, keeper talks, and live animal presentations. The event will also feature the zoo’s newest animals: the fossa.
An endangered species of Madagascar, the cat-like fossa are a unique species that the zoo hopes to construct a new exhibit for within the next 1-2 years. By donating funds for the exhibit’s construction, two HalloWILD guests will win the chance to name the zoo’s two fossa brothers. Keeper talks, a Pin the Tail on the Fossa game, and a Fossa Scavenger Hunt with raffle prizes will help HalloWILD participants celebrate this incredible animal.
Other highlights of the event include the chance to design a new monster at the Monster Mural, a Twisted Tattoo booth, a Boiling Bone lab, and a Monster Mash musical area where guests can create their own Ogre Orchestra. Visitors can also take their chances by reaching into Mystery Boxes and discover what might be lurking inside or check out Madagascar hissing cockroaches at Clark Pest Control’s Bug Zoo. A costume parade led by famous mascots such as Stockton Thunder’s Thor, Modesto Nuts’ Wally the Walnut and Al the Almond, Rooty the A&W Root Beer Bear and many others begins at 1PM.
“Halloween events at the Micke Grove Zoo are always spectacular. The Zoo is transformed into a magical land of wonderful creatures surrounded by hay and pumpkins. There are fun games, crafts, activities and spooky yet safe surprises around every corner,” shared Kristy Benner, Education Specialist for the Micke Grove Zoological Society. “Each year creates such a special memory as we celebrate the Halloween holiday with the zoo animals and staff. Everybody has a ‘spooktacular’ time.”
This year’s sponsors include Chase Chevrolet, George Perry and Sons, Robinson’s Feed Company, and Advanced Mechanical Systems. Children will be able to trick-or-treat at the many participating vendor booths, including The Rustic Puff with its special zoo-inspired flavored marshmallows, the California Milk Advisory Board, Smart and Final, and family resource agencies like Charterhouse Center for Families, Parents by Choice, and Family Resource and Referral.
The HalloWILD event is free for up to 3 costumed children per paying adult ($5.00 for ages 14+) and for members of the Micke Grove Zoological Society. Regular zoo admission applies from 3PM-5PM ($5.00 for 14+, $3.00 for 3-13, and free for children under the age of 2 and members of the Micke Grove Zoological Society). A separate $6.00 parking fee applies. Micke Grove Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas from 10AM-5PM with last entry allowed at 4:30PM. Please check the website, www.mgzoo.com, for additional details. For parking fee information and additional services, please visit www.sjparks.com.