Halloween 2016 at the Louisville Zoo

Zoo’s Halloween Party Turns 35 This Year!

CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

Meijer presents “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!”
October 1–2, 6–9, 13–16, 20–23, 27–30

For the last 34 years the Louisville Zoo has provided area families with a cheery, not eerie Halloween Party during its “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” presented by Meijer. This year the Zoo celebrates its 35th year for the popular party on October 1–2, 6–9, 13–16, 20–23 and 27–30.

Tickets are now on sale.

Children can dress up in their wildest costumes and set off on a magical journey through the Zoo.

The Party features costumed characters for guests to meet and greet in fanciful, larger-than-life storybook scenes. Trick-or-treating is offered for kids 11 and under. In an effort to be “green,” the Zoo requests that children bring their own trick-or-treat bag to the event. The Zoo will not provide bags, but reusable cloth bags will be available for purchase for $2 in the Zoo’s gift shop whiles supplies last.

Louisville pumpkin carving artist Donna O’Bryan will have 200 of her beautifully carved artificial pumpkins on display nightly (except for Oct. 30) in the Black Cat Crossing area with themes ranging from iconic movie characters to famous stars.

Fun themed areas include:

  • Mumpkinthe Giant Talking Pumpkin
  • Blast off and boogie down at the Astro Disco
  • Skip up the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz.
  • Dive Under the Sea and walk among jellyfish
  • Have photos taken with prehistoric friends in Dinoland
  • Enjoy a zany tea party with silly friends in Wonderland
  • Take flight with your favorite fairy and never grow up in Pirate’s Cove
  • Show off your superpowers in Superhero City
  • Halloween and playtime mix when you visitToyland
  • Your favorite books come to life inPNC Grow Up Great Storybook Land
  • Wander your way through a hay maze, gaze upon hundreds of hillside pumpkins and more!

While all main Party festivities are included with regular Party admission, several optional experiences will be available for the adventuresome (special fees and some restrictions apply). These include:

  • Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow tour ($2 per person)
  • Spooktactular Carousel ($2 per person)
  • Boo Choo-Choo Train ($4 per person)
  • Kaman’s Handimals (starts at $15)
  • Kaman’s Face Painting (starts at $8.99)
  • Kaman’s photo packages (start at $15)
  • Louisville Youth Board face painting and sand art ($1 – $4)
  • Fun gift items at the Zoo’s gift shops; Louisville Zoo members get 10% off
  • Themed snacks and beverages like Dippin’ Dots are available at concession stands; Louisville Zoo members get a 10% discount

The Zoo will close early for regular daytime visitors on nights when the Halloween event takes place; gates will close at 3 p.m. and guests can enjoy the Zoo until 4 p.m.

Halloween Party guests can enter starting at 5 p.m. Last entry is at 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 20–21, Meijer will have their new Meijer Food Truck, “Sweet Ride,” at the Zoo’s front entrance, sampling apple cider and pumpkin spice doughnuts from 3–9 p.m. Oct. 22 & 23, Meijer will also be at the entrance with giveaways while supplies last.

Oct. 1–2 & 6–9, PNC Grow Up Great will be at the front entrance with their Mobile Learning Adventure with games and giveaways for the kids from 5–8:30 p.m.

Oct. 1–2 & 8–9 UPS Hot Rod will be at the front entrance and UPS volunteers will be handing out candy at the Zoo booths and have an empty airline container to show kids how boxes are stacked and loaded.

Oct. 15 is Ford Volunteer Night with Ford volunteers handing out candy at the Zoo’s candy booths. Oct. 27 is Pepsi Volunteer Night.

This event is one of the Zoo’s major fundraising events and requires a special ticket for all visitors ages three and older. Advanced online tickets are on sale now at www.louisvillezoo.org.  Some event nights sell out so the Zoo encourages guests to reserve early. This event is rain or shine. No refunds or exchanges.

Halloween Party ticket prices are as follows:

  • Non-Louisville Zoo member tickets are $9 per person for an advanced online ticket for a specified night and $10 for a ticket the night of the event at the admission windows based on availability. Starting Sept. 23 guests can buy tickets at area Meijer locations for $8 valid any night of the event.
  • Louisville Zoo member tickets are $1 per person for the first three weekends (Oct. 1–2, 6–9 and 13–16) and must be purchased in advance online for a specific evening using valid Member I.D.; The remaining dates  (Oct. 20–23 and 27–30) are $4.50 per person and must be purchased in advance online for a specific evening using valid Member I.D. Louisville Zoo members can also purchase a ticket for $5 at the Zoo admission windows any night of the event based on availability.
  • Groups of 15 or more can purchase discounted tickets online or by contacting the Zoo’s Group Sales department at (502) 459-2348 at least 72 hours in advance.
  • Limited parking is available in the Zoo lot for $5 per car (cash) for all those attending the Halloween event including Louisville Zoo members.
  • A shuttle will run nightly from the Cyril Allgeier Community Center to the Zoo from 5 – 9:30 p.m.

For more details and answers to frequently asked questions about the Halloween Party, visit louisvillezoo.org/halloween/

“The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” presented by Meijer is also made possible by Ford Motor Company, PNC Grow Up Great and Subway. Additional support by UPS and Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust, Councilman Pat Mulvihill and District 10 residents, USA Image, Chili’s Grill and Bar, Fazoli’s, Wendy’s and Mark’s Feed Store.

Special thanks to Caufield’s, Delta Dental, Kosair Charities, Philpot Hay Company, Nu-Yale Cleaners and Moe’s Southwest Grill.

Please Note:

This is a non-smoking event.

 Costumes/Masks: Adults may wear costumes but we ask that they be family-friendly (not scary please). And since this event caters to small children, adults may NOT wear masks that cover the face. The Zoo reserves the right to ask adults to remove masks.

Animals:  There are no promises but guests are most likely to see maned wolves, jaguars, bongos, rhinos, giraffes and polar bears. Many of our animals have early bedtimes in the fall when the sun sets earlier so it could be hard to spot them. The HerpAquarium remains open during the event so guests can visit our creepiest and crawliest inhabitants.

Road Closings: The following road closings begin at 4 p.m. on event days: Illinois, Russell and Grenade. There will also be signs posted for no parking on streets around the Zoo.

—MEDIA COVERAGE—

To better assist you, we ask all media to please call 24 hours in advance to arrange coverage. Notify Kyle Shepherd at 502-744-5639 (media cell) or by calling the Zoo’s receptionist at (502) 459-2181 ext. 0.

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The Zoo can be reached via I-264, exit 14. Follow the Zoo signs to 1100 Trevilian Way. For additional information, please call (502) 459-2181 or visit the Zoo website at www.louisvillezoo.org.                                       

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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