Halloween isn't just for haunted houses and trick-or-treating anymore. A growing trend has seen zoos and botanical gardens becoming increasingly sought-after Halloween destinations. These venues are presenting hauntingly beautiful natural installations and themed events, providing not only entertainment but also educational experiences.
At the heart of this shift is the intrinsic connection between the natural world and the spooky season. Michaela Wright, manager of interpretive content at the New York Botanical Garden, emphasises this bond: "Fall is a celebration of the natural world, so Halloween and botanical gardens are an organic pairing."
The Garden's Halloween journey started about half a century ago with a haunted greenhouse tour. Today, it's evolved to include exotic pumpkin patches with varieties in shades of blues, pinks, and even warty textures.
This year, master pumpkin carver Adam Bierton adds to the allure with weekend carving events and a show-stopping display of colossal pumpkins, some exceeding 2,000 pounds.
A Feast of Colors and Carvings
Chicago Botanic Garden is not far behind in the festive race. Their "Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns" event showcases intricately painted and carved pumpkins. Adding to the festive ambiance are costumed performers, pumpkin carving demonstrations, and themed food stalls. The Garden also educates visitors through online adult classes about "Ghoulish Plants and Folklore" and a Halloween Hub diving deep into seasonal plants and pumpkin facts.
Zoos are joining the Halloween bandwagon too. Events like "Boo at the Zoo" and "Zoo Boo" are becoming staples.
Lisa Martin from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance recalls their "HalGLOween" event's immense popularity, which began in 2017. It started as a single weekend festivity but soon expanded due to overwhelming demand. Today, it spans most weekends in October. She highlights, "There's no trick-or-treating. And we don't offer candy," much to the relief of many parents.
This year, attendees can enjoy attractions like the "Skeleton Band," scarecrow stilt-walkers dubbed the "Boo Crew," and an enchanting "Python Path" in the reptile house.
Moreover, the "Cool Critters" building demystifies arachnids for kids, teaching them that these creatures are less intimidating than they seem.
Educational Thrills: More Than Just Fun
Adjacent to San Diego, the Zoo Safari Park boasts a bat house. The zoo itself, recognised as an accredited botanical garden, offers a "Wildlife Explorers Basecamp" teeming with bugs, bees, and ant colonies. Moreover, experts are available to discuss intriguing plants such as strangle-vines and vampire dragon orchids.
Indiana's Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has its own series of Halloween festivities. Each weekend in October brings a new theme, from "Superhero Weekend" to "Rock and Roar Halloween," that caters to those over 21 with live music and drinks.
New York's Bronx Zoo isn't left behind either. Their "Boo at the Zoo" daytime events lead into "Pumpkin Nights" post-sunset, where guests can wander a trail of over 5,000 glowing jack-o'-lanterns and learn about nocturnal animal behaviours.
These themed events at zoos and botanical gardens aren't just about fun. They serve a dual purpose. As Lisa Martin aptly sums up, "People learn best when they're having fun, and they just may come in for some Halloween fun and go home with a better understanding of conservation." This Halloween, nature is truly in the spotlight.
