Binder Park is discontinuing its annual "ZooBoo" event leading into Halloween.  Replacing it will be a series of new, smaller events.

The regular Binder Park Zoo season ends on the weekend of October 4-6th, after which the zoo closes to prepare for Bonteboktoberfest – an annual beer tasting festival on Saturday, October 12.

The zoo then will reopen on October 14 for an extended season labeled “FALL into the ZOO”, which replaces ZooBoo.

“While nearly everyone has cherished memories of ZooBoo from years gone by, we realized that today’s families are actually looking for fresh, different and more engaging experiences.  You should never outgrow the zoo,” said Zoo spokesperson Leslie Walsh.

The question unanswered is why was the annual ZooBoo was cancelled?

After the zoo reopens on October 14th for the extended season, it will be open daily from 10-4, with admission cut to $10 per person (and free for zoo members).

The new events are:

  • Senior Safari -Wednesday, October 16 - Seniors 60+ will receive FREE admission for activities, games and more.
  • Zoorific Kids Day - Saturday, October 19 - This is a family event for visiting the zoo. It includes sponsor demonstrations, activities, animal encounters and more.
  • Stroller Safari - Tuesday, October 22 – Geared for parents with tots, with special play-stations, pumpkin-coloring and other age-appropriate activities.
  • Harvest Celebration - Saturday, October 26 - The zoo animals get harvest-themed enrichment, along with an antique tractor show.
  • TAILgate at the Zoo -Sunday, October 27 - This event is as the name implies, a tailgate, with beer and hopes to create a tailgate atmosphere.

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