Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo will welcome community members of all ages for their annual SPOOKtacular event on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. The Zoo’s five candy trails will open from Noon to 4:30pm each day; guests are encouraged to wear costumes as they visit over 20 candy stations sponsored by local businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
A Zoo-full of activities will occur all weekend long including a Pumpkin PlayZone inside the Nature Exploration Center located at the Zoo’s entryway. The PlayZone will feature a straw bale maze, pumpkin-themed games and live animal encounters with the Zoo’s educational animal ambassadors.
Additionally, family-friendly activity stations will be located Zoo-wide and Zoo Ambassador Programs featuring live animal encounters will occur in Chautauqua Amphitheater each afternoon. Live entertainment will also be found throughout the park including performances from the KSU Tap Dance Ensemble and Manhattan High School’s Thespian Mime Troop.
The SPOOKtacular carving skills of KSU’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design students will once again be on display in the Zoo’s pavilion. This is the fourth year for the Zoo to partner with the College, providing second year Interior Architecture & Product Design students practice with their rendering skills. SPOOKtacular guests can vote for their favorite jack-o-lantern art throughout the weekend.
Special admission prices apply to SPOOKtacular: $5 per trick-or-treating child; two adults admitted free with each paid child’s admission. A regular admission rate of $4 applies to any additional adults. Children two and under are free; Friends of Sunset Zoo members receive $1 off each trick-or-treating child’s admission.
Last year, Sunset Zoo welcomed nearly 5,000 guests over the two-day event. To help avoid long ticket lines, community members should pre-purchase their event tickets by visiting SunsetZoo.com and selecting the “Buy Tickets” button, or by visiting the Zoo’s ticket booth open 9:30am to 5:00pm daily.
Sunset Zoo’s SPOOKtacular 2013 is presented by Manhattan Broadcasting and their radio stations – B104.7, K-ROCK 101.5, Z 96.3 and 1350 KMAN – as well as Murdock Manhattan. Candy stations sponsored by Big Poppi Bicycle Company, Blueville Nursery, Columbian Theatre, Firestone Complete Auto, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Flint Hills Pony Club, Friends of Konza Prairie, Friends of Sunset Zoo, HealthSource Chiropractic, Howie's Trash & Recycling, KSU Insect Zoo, Manhattan Arts Center, Manhattan Town Center, Sunflower Pet Supply, Swan Dentistry, United Bank & Trust, United Way and US Cellular.
SPOOKtacular is held rain or shine. For more information visit SunsetZoo.com or call 785.587.APES.