New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo to offer slightly spooky family fun this October

Buttonwood Park Zoo’s annual family friendly Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo, is back for its 19th year of slightly spooky fun – with social distance precautions in place.

Beginning on Saturday, October 17, 2020, Boo at the Zoo, which is presented by Bristol County Savings Bank, will run on Saturdays and Sundays through Halloween from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Advance ticket purchase is required to limit capacity and ensure all guests can maintain appropriate space while enjoying the event. Ticket prices are $16 for adults and $12 for children over the age of two. BPZOO members enjoy a $5 discount on each ticket, as well as the ability to reserve additional Boo tickets at no additional cost for family and friends listed on their membership. Ticketing information is available at bpzoo.org/whats-new/boo-at-the-zoo-returns/.

“During these uncertain times, it is important to have some fun diversions for kids as long as all the federal and state guidelines are being followed and they are safe,” said Patrick Murray, President & CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank. “We are excited to have the opportunity to support Buttonwood Park’s Boo at the Zoo for the twelfth straight year so they can, in turn, provide an even wider array of educational and family programs for the local community in the future.”

As usual, Boo at the Zoo will include your little ghouls and goblins favorite Halloween activity – trick or treating at a variety of candy stations – as well as mazes, obstacle courses, Halloween-themed animal enrichment and up close meet and greets with some of your favorite Zoo Animal Ambassadors. Don’t forget those costumes – there will be endless photo opportunities and the chance to enter a daily costume contest!

“This year we have increased the amount of trick or treat stations,” said BPZOO’s Event Manager Trish Means. “This will help encourage social distancing across the Zoo campus as families weave through candy stations, themed children friendly activities, and animal encounters. Additionally, the Zoo

Volunteers will be distributing candy through fun delivery systems in order to maintain a six foot distance from guests.”

Also, for anyone interested in flexing their creative muscles, BPZOO is also hosting a pumpkin decorating contest this year. With five categories and four age groups – the spook-tacular entries will be displayed around the Zoo for the entire length of the event. Entries are due by Tuesday, October 13th.

BPZOO will also be hosting two Baby Boo events this year as well, on Friday, October 23rd and Friday, October 30th. Designed with the littlest monsters in mind, these events are geared towards the ages of five and under, giving them a chance to experience Boo at the Zoo with children of their same age. These two Baby Boo events run from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm and also require advance ticket purchase.

Buttonwood Park Zoo Director, Keith Lovett, stated “The Zoo is thrilled that the Zoological Society will be able to maintain the tradition of offering one of the most anticipated family events on the SouthCoast. Although this year’s event may look slightly different from previous years and the number of guests on campus at any time will be significantly reduced, we are confident that attendees will enjoy celebrating Halloween with all of their Zoo animal friends. This annual event series is one of the largest fundraisers for the Zoological Society which supports the animal care, conservation and environmental education programs of the Zoo.”

Consistent with CDC, State, and local Health Department guidelines, each event attendee over the age of five is required to wear a mask. With parental discretion, children ages 2-5 are encouraged to wear masks and children under two years of age do not have a mask requirement. Additionally, all guests are required to abide by the one way traffic pattern around the Zoo.

Boo at the Zoo is proudly presented by Bristol County Savings Bank. Additional event sponsors include Hawthorn Medical Associates, Renewal by Anderson, First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, Taunton Federal Credit Union, Ray & Maureen Armstrong, Baycoast Bank, Care Free Homes, Gwen Bettencourt CPA, Law Offices of Beauregard, Burke, and Franco, Servpro of New Bedford and Dartmouth and Tremblay’s Bus Company. Sponsorships are still available – please call 508-991-4556 ext 119 for more information.