One of Winnipeg's most popular family events is currently scaring the dickens out of happy kids, as "Safeway Boo at the Zoo" continues now through Oct. 30 at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
This also happens to be the largest fundraiser of the year for the Zoological Society of Manitoba, and thereby the Assiniboine Park Zoo, so it's very worth supporting.
The theme again this year is "Survivor: Boo Island" and event manager Julie Eccles tells me the kids just can't get enough:
"They just don't want to leave. After they've been through once or twice (you can spend as much time as you like) and it's time to go, they beg their parents 'Please, can we go again?' to which mom and dad reply, 'Awwww guys, it's time for bed. We can always come back.'"
And many do. Bye and bye, fright fans, lest ye think it's all geared towards younger kiddies, think again. Julie?
"The event is geared toward all ages, with the exception of the Trail of Terror, which is strongly recommended for ages over 12, and (even) at that not for the faint of heart. This is the only section that has a high scare factor," said Julie. "It is volunteered by a group called Havok and they start planning for this area in the spring. It's quite hauntingly good!"
Other attractions include Fairy Tale Lane, Pumpkin Patch, The Dino Maze, The Dino Disco, Captain Jack Scarecrow and "a couple of dozen more!" The all-seeing, all-knowing Madame Clara will even tell your fortune ...
Kiddie rides are included in the price of the tickets and the event includes pony rides, a carousel, a fun house and other spooky adventures.
S'matter of fact, the Winnipeg Sun is sponsoring the "Ewwww at the Zoo" trailer, where kiddies will find lots of "icky creepy things happening" that are G-rated.
Admission is more than reasonable and remember, this is the "fundraiser of the year" for the zoo! Tickets at Safeway -- $7; online -- $8.50; at the gate -- $10. But please note there are a limited number of gate tickets available and last year they were sold out six nights of the run, so best to buy in advance.
Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. weeknights, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gates close at 8:30 p.m. and the event shuts down at 9 p.m. nightly. Those in the know strongly recommend at least one hour to properly go through the site. There's a lot to see, a lot to flee.
Did you know that last year's attendance was over 50,000 people? This is one popular gig. Take your kids (and camera) so you can send grandma and grandpa some pics!
Wish Boo at the Zoo had been happening when I was a kid. I loved scary stuff. Still do.
Truth be told, I used to invite other neighbourhood kids into my "fort" under our front veranda and tell them scary stories about their own houses. Like about the man who was murdered in their bedroom, hung himself in the closet, etc.
'Course I was making it all up, but I didn't tell them that. Occasionally, a neighbourhood parent would ask my mom to tell me to quit telling their kids the stories because they were too scared to sleep in their own bedrooms. SUCCESS!
Boo at the Zoo. Frightfully fun. Don't miss it.
