Ellen Trout Zoo Hosting ‘Zoo Boo’ Event this Weekend

By Cheril Vernon
Messenger Copy Editor

LUFKIN  – If you are looking for something fun and Halloween-oriented to do with the kids or grandkids this weekend, the Ellen Trout Zoo and Friends of the Ellen Trout Zoo will host the annual “Zoo Boo” event this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21 from 6 to 8 p.m.

“It would be a fun, family event, a wonderful family environment to see the zoo in a new light after dark. There will be tiki torches all around. A whole lot of new experiences and lots of trick or treating and things to do,” Ellen Trout Zoo Director Gordon B. Henley Jr. told The Messenger.  “It would be a good place for a Halloween treat.”

Besides trick-or-treating, a costume contest will be held for children ages 0 to 4 at 6:30 and for ages 5 to 10 at 7 p.m. each night.

Additional activities throughout the zoo will be held, including games for kids and face painting.

“We hope everybody from Grapeland can come out for this,” Henley said. “There will be lots of Halloween fun for everyone.”

To prepare for this year’s event, the zoo and park will be closing at  4 p.m.  each day. For guests coming to the zoo from the west, continue driving east on Loop 287 and exit on Hwy. 59 North, Business Hwy 59 and take the U-turn on the overpass to get to the Zoo. The Loop 287 crossover at Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive will be closed for the event due to construction.

Admission to the Zoo Boo event is the same as regular zoo admission. Tickets are $3.50 for children ages 4 to 11 and free for children under age 4. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for seniors over age 60. Tickets are available at the zoo or online at www.ellentroutzoo.com.