Thousands participate each year in October at an event at our local Boise Zoo called Boo at the Zoo. Boo at the Zoo is an annual Halloween festival put on by various Boise businesses and vendors that provide a safe and fun learning environment for children and adults of the Boise community. Boo at the Zoo is a great event that usually generates quite a bit of donations for zoo improvements needed around the zoo as well.

Unlike most days at the zoo, this day the animals are not the main attraction. There is a spooky Halloween costume contest, games and face painting for the kids.

In 1996, more than 4,500 people helped raise more than $10,000 alone on the day of Boo at the Zoo.

“This is a great event because we have the opportunity to educate the public and everyone has a good time,” said gate attendant Enid Cavanaugh.

“I have to work on Halloween so I won’t be able to see my grandchildren all dressed up,” says Joy Tullevo, “This is a safe environment for them and we are supporting a great cause in the process, she said. Other parents dress their children up and come out just to give them another chance to dress up and wear their costumes.

In 1999 about 11,000 people showed up during “Boo at the Zoo” in part because “Boo at the Zoo” was the first Saturday to see the arrival of two endangered Amur Tigers. Volunteers and employees handed out some 2,500 pounds of candy and cookies to participate. In 1998 approximately only 7,000 people attended the event.

The money that is generated from “Boo At The Zoo” is spend on improvements through out the zoo—“improvements that most people don’t notice”, Burns said, “ For example, you might need a new water pipe to the moose exhibit,” Burns said, “Not many people want to donate money for water pipes.” “Its money that is hard to come by.”

Zoo Boise’s annual Boo at the Zoo usually falls on the weekend of Halloween from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are costume contests, face painting, a merry-go-round, and of course trick-or treating. This event in Boise is great for all ages of kids; it is similar to the concept of trunk-or-treating in that the children don’t have to walk very far from stand to stand. The Costume contest starts with the youngest age group and through out the day.

Martinez, Kendra. “Thousands participate in ‘Boo at the Zoo’.” The Idaho Statesman; 26 October 1997: 2B. Print. Tucker, John. “Costumed tiger fans flock to zoo.” The Idaho Statesman; 31 October 1999: 1B. Print.