OCTOBER:  FAMILY PROGRAMS / The Oklahoma City Zoo’s Education Department offers a variety of programs that provide families with a unique and wild way to spend time together. These monthly programs are themed to entertain both children and adults alike. Cost per person is $15 for members or $18 for non-members. The Zoo also offers programs for toddlers, pre-schoolers and homeschooled students. Pre-registration is required at least a week in advance and may be done by calling (405) 425-0218 or online at http://okczoo.recware.com. Visit www.zoofieldtrips.com to learn more.

OCTOBER 1-31:  HAUNT THE ZOO TICKETS ON SALE / Get your tickets for the state’s biggest Halloween event today!  Advance tickets for the 26^th annual Haunt the Zoo for Halloween will be on sale throughout the month of October at the Oklahoma City Zoo.  The cost is $6 per child for advance tickets and $7 per child when purchased during the event.  Adults 18 and older are admitted free.  Haunt the Zoo runs Monday, October 26^th through Saturday, October 31^st from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly, rain or shine.

OCTOBER 1-11:  ANNUAL PUMPKIN DRIVE / A “gourd”geous deal! Bring a pumpkin bigger than your head to the Zoo and receive free admission that day. The pumpkin drive held from October 1-11 is presented by The 21st Running of the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. The donated pumpkins will be used to help decorate Haunt the Zoo for Halloween. One pumpkin per person, please.

OCTOBER 10:  GARDEN GALA / Celebrate the fall gardening craze with the Oklahoma City Zoo’s annual Garden Gala and plant sale on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy this botanical event showcasing gardening and nature. Plus, a wide variety of plants including spring flowering bulbs, assorted trees and tropical plants will be available for purchase. Event activities are free with Zoo admission.

OCTOBER 12:  GORILLA GOLF / Calling all golfers!  Time to tee up and help save our endangered friends. Play a round of golf and support the seventh annual Gorilla Golf Tournament.  Join the Oklahoma City Zoo’s chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers on Monday, October 12 as they host their annual “fun”draiser at Willow Creek Golf and Country Club (6501 South Country Club Drive). Registration for this four-person scramble begins at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.  Entry fee is $130 per person which includes green fees, cart rental, range balls and lunch. All proceeds for this special event will benefit The Tayna Gorilla Reserve, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa. Pre-registration is required to play in the Gorilla Golf Tournament.  For more information, contact Debi Mangrum or Mary McFarland at (405) 603-4676.

October 15 & 16:  ZOE’S 1-YEAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION / Zoe, our chimpanzee turns 1-year-old and the Oklahoma City Zoo is hosting a two-day party! Join us on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM both days for an “ape”solutely awesome celebration. Cake for the chimps, party favors for all of the apes and surprises on both days. Free with regular Zoo admission. Come party with us at Great EscApe and say happy birthday to Zoe!

OCTOBER 26-31:  26^th ANNUAL HAUNT THE ZOO FOR HALLOWEEN / For twenty-six sweet years, the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Haunt the Zoo for Halloween has provided “spook”tacular fun for all ages.  Presented by the Children’s Hospital Volunteers and Kohl’s Cares for Kids, Haunt the Zoo runs Monday, October 26 though Saturday, October 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly (rain or shine). Children will explore jack-o-lantern lit pathways and stop at festive fantasy-themed booths to collect tasty treats from volunteers. Admission per child is $6 for pre-purchased tickets or $7 for tickets purchased at the gate during the event. Accompanying adults 18 years of age or older are admitted free.  Admission includes an official treat bag. Event sponsors as of September 25 include: Allegiance Credit Union, American Income Life Insurance Company, AT&T Pioneers, OK 1^stChapter, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, Brown’s Bakery, Chesapeake Energy, Cox Communications, Delaware North Co., First Security Bank, Fred Jones Family Foundation, Frito-Lay, Great Plains Coca-Cola, Great Plains Dr Pepper, Lippert Bros, Inc., Magic 104.1 KMGL/92.5 KOMA, McDonald’s, OKDHS Child Support, Walmart and ZooFriends. Discount coupons for $1 off Haunt the Zoo admission are available (while supplies last) at all metro-area Kohl’s stores.

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER:

November 25: Free Day at the Zoo. Admission is free for everyone!

November 26: Thanksgiving Day – the Zoo is closed.

Gourds, goodies, golf and gardening–October is grand at the OKC Zoo, the state’s #1 attraction and one of the top three family friendly zoos in the nation! Located at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44 in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, the Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three to 11 and seniors ages 65 and older. Children two and under are free. For more information, call (405) 424-3344 or visit www.okczoo.com.

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