Bears roar. Owls say “hoot.” Ghosts say “boo!” at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park. This past weekend marked the third year the zoo has collaborated with the North Country Children’s Clinic to create a “merry, not scary” event for children 12 and younger, according to zoo Executive Director John T. Wright. Mr. Wright dressed festively, wearing a surgeon’s scrubs and a witch hat, as he explained the different aspects of this year’s event. “The director’s house is a little haunted,” he said.
The yard was lined with skulls and a freshly dug “grave.” He is hoping to make the inside of the house part of the trick-or-treat trail in the next few years. The trails had a multitude of candy and photography stations that mommy’s little monsters, princesses and superheroes could stop by on the way to see animals native to New York.
The zoo was full of kids and parents. Last year, 2,500 people attended the two-day event. On Saturday alone, 1,100 people showed up. “It’s always weather-dependent, of course,” Mr. Wright said Sunday. “I can already tell that there are more people than there were yesterday.”
Many of the attendees were new guests to Boo at the Zoo. Lindsey R. Branche grew up in Clayton and has been to the zoo many times before. However, this was the first time she brought her little cupcake, Braelyn K. Branche, 2, to the event.
“She loves the animals,” said Ms. Branche. “That’s why we came – to dress up and see the animals.”The Rogers family also came to see the animals. Many of the beasts, such as the wolves, wolverines and bears, were out and active — a real treat for the children.
“We knew they’d be out with the cooler weather,” said Meggen P. Rogers. at trail was getting candy. “It gives them practice for Halloween, I guess,” said Mrs. Rogers. The proceeds from the event will be divided in half between the Children’s Clinic and the zoo. “It’s a coordinated effort,” said Mr. Wright. “It shows our efforts to work with nonprofits for the betterment of the community.”