LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Zoo's "Boo at the Zoo" Halloween event is still on this year.
The party, celebrating its 39th year, will host children in their wildest costumes from Oct. 1 through Oct. 30, Thursday through Sunday nights. Member tickets are already on sale; however, non-member tickets will be on sale starting Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.
New health and safety measures will be in place for this year's event, including a mask requirement for all guests over the age of five. The Zoo will still offer trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under, but they will not receive individual pieces of candy. Instead, they will receive a small sealed treat bag at each booth along the route. Zoo staff who receive health screenings each day before they arrive at work will distribute the candy, and socially distanced photo opportunities will be available.
“This is an event our community and guests look forward to each year, and we are doing our part to make this as safe as possible so that we can continue on with the Halloween festivities this year,” said John Walczak, director of the Louisville Zoo. “We are excited about Boo at the Zoo and being able to offer kids a fun event outdoors where they can still celebrate this holiday.”
Tickets for the event cost $12.50 for non-members and $6 for members. Children two years old and under are free. To minimize contact points, tickets are now all-inclusive, covering the cost of Boo at the Zoo admission, parking, Spooktacular Carousel, "not-so itsby bitsy" Spider House, and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow attraction.
Both members and guests are required to reserve tickets online with their chosen date and arrival time.
On Boo at the Zoo event days, the Zoo will close early for regular daytime visitors. The gates will close at 3 p.m., and guests will be aloowed to visit until 4 p.m. Halloween guests can enter the Zoo at their selected times, beginning at 5 p.m. The trick-or-treat route closes at 10 p.m.