FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       October 5, 2012

CONTACTS:  Tara Henson: (405) 425-0219 office, (405) 919-9038 cell, thenson@okczoo.com

                     Candice Rennels: (405) 425-0298 office, (405) 412-6172 cell, crennels@okczoo.com

OKC ZOO HOSTS MONTH OF HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

                At the Oklahoma City Zoo, green is the new orange. The Zoo is hosting several SPOOKtacular Halloween events, all with local and global communities in mind, and packed full of fun for all ages.

ANNUAL PUMPKIN DRIVE

The Zoo is offering an unBOOlievable deal to kick off the Halloween season during its Pumpkin Drive, presented by Remington Park. Bring a pumpkin bigger than your head to the Zoo from October 6 through 14 and receive same-day admission for free. Zoo staffers transform the donated pumpkins into GOURDgeous decorations to place along the 29^th annual Haunt the Zoo for Halloween trail. One pumpkin is allowed per person. This deal may not be combined with any other offer.

LOVE'S SPECIAL PROMOTION

Love’s Travel Stops LOVES Haunt the Zoo!  ZooFriends can renew their memberships through October 19 and receive a $5 renewal discount, two FREE Haunt the Zoo tickets and a $5 Love’s gift card.  Call ZooFriends at (405) 425-0618 or visit www.zoofriends.org to get the special renewal deal. But hurry! This offer is for a limited time only!

HALLOWEEN COSTUME SWAP AND PUMPKIN DROP

If you are wondering what characters the kids will be for Halloween, consider shopping the Zoo’s Halloween Costume Swap and Pumpkin Drop. The Zoo is participating in National Costume Swap Day on Saturday, October 13, and hosting its first costume swap in hopes of reducing waste and increasing fun. Statistics show that 6,250 tons of landfill waste could be avoided if just half the kids in America traded costumes. Kids will enjoy shopping costumes that are “new” to them while adults enjoy saving some green and going green. New or gently used children’s costumes in sizes infant through youth extra large will be accepted. Details include: 

• Donate and swap on Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, in the Zoo’s Global Plaza. No Zoo admission required for swapping.
• Donate early the week of October 8 - 12 in the Zoo’s Guest Relations’ office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you will receive a ticket to come back and swap on October 13.
• Donate without swapping.

But wait! There’s more! Drop off a pumpkin larger than your head on Swap day, October 13, and enjoy same-day admission to the Zoo for free. Come shop, swap and drop!

PERSONALIZED PUMPKINS

Treat your "punkin" to a pumpkin and help the Zoo! Honor your friends, kids, pets or a special someone by sponsoring a personalized pumpkin to be prominently displayed in the special Haunt the Zoo Pumpkin Patch. Forms can be downloaded from the Zoo Web site at www.okczoo.com/haunt-the-zoo. Forms with checks must be received by the Zoo no later than Friday, October 26.

HAUNT THE ZOO PREVIEW HIKE FOR FAMILIES

No tricks--just the treat of getting a sneak peek at Haunt the Zoo. Enjoy walking the Haunt the Zoo trail on Thursday, October 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bring your cameras to capture your trick-or-treaters at each faBOOlous booth. Candy will not be provided on the Preview Hike. Adults must accompany children. The cost per child is $15 for ZooFriends and $18 for non-members. Parents are free with a paid child registration. To learn more or to register, contact the Education department at (405) 425-0218 or visit www.okczooed.com.

29^TH ANNUAL HAUNT THE ZOO FOR HALLOWEEN

Drum roll, please! Announcing the biggest, family and earth-friendly Halloween event in Oklahoma! Presented by Children’s Hospital Volunteers and Kohl’s Cares, the Zoo’s 29^th annual Haunt the Zoo runs Friday, October 26, through Wednesday, October 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly (rain or shine).

Your children, disguised as goblins, fairies and superheroes, will be welcomed by costumed characters in the Zoo’s Global Plaza. They will enter the Zoo and follow the pumpkin-lined pathway, stopping at 21 festive, fantasy-themed booths to collect tasty and earth-friendly treats from volunteers. Decorations are designed to be “just right without the fright” with blinking lights and special effects. Grounds are patrolled by Zoo personnel.

All candy is either palm oil free or sustainable in support of orangutan conservation!  Deforestation, due to non-sustainable palm oil production, is threatening populations of already-endangered orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia.  The Zoo only supports candy companies that are trying to prevent the extinction of this amazing species!

Just say, “Cheese!” Photography professionals from Party Pics will be available each night at Haunt the Zoo to take digital photos of children in their costumes. All photos will be available online at www.okczoo.com for guests to view and purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Zoo.

Admission per child is $6 in advance or $7 at the gate. Accompanying adults ages 18 and older are admitted for free. Admission includes an official treat bag and is required for anyone wishing to trick-or-treat. ZooFriends memberships do not apply. Tickets may be purchased at the Zoo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online at www.okczoo.com and are good for any night of the event. Stroller rental is available or bring your own. Concessions, some rides and souvenirs are available for additional costs.

The 29th annual Haunt the Zoo is presented by Kohl's Cares and The Children’s Hospital Volunteers. Sponsors are Allegiance Credit Union; AT&T Pioneers, OK 1st Chapter; Bank of Oklahoma; Cher A. Bumps & Assoc., Inc., Chesapeake Energy; Cox Communications; First Security Bank; Fred Jones Family Foundation; Frito-Lay; Great Plains Coca Cola; Great Plains Dr Pepper; Krispy Kreme; La Petite Academy & Childtime Learning Centers; Love's Travel Stops; Magic 104.1 KMGL/92.5 KOMA/Frito-Lay; OKDHS Child Support Services; Tinker Federal Credit Union; Walmart; and ZooFriends. 

I spy something fun for everyone in October at the OKC Zoo. Visit Oklahoma’s number one attraction and one of the nation’s top three zoos, as named in the 2012 10Besties Readers' Choice Travel Awards! The Zoo is a proud member of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District located near the crossroads of I-44 and I-35 and open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days. Regular hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Military members, spouses and up to 5 children receive a 50 percent discount. Parking is free. Additional fees for rides and attractions within the Zoo apply. The Zoo’s Web site posts discount and free days and some extended hours throughout the year. All exhibit buildings close 15 minutes prior to closing and guests must exit the Zoo at closing. Become a Zoo Fan at www.facebook.com/okczoobg, follow us on Twitter @okczoo and become a ZooFriends member at www.zoofriends.org.  For more information, call (405) 424-3344 or visit www.okczoo.com.

-okczoo.com-