Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens has more than 15 trick-or-treat stations for kids to visit. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costumes! (Photos by Jayden Simmons/Carolina News & Reporter)
Aliens, tigers and pirates: Oh my!
In a spooky twist that’s been going on for more than 30 years in Columbia, Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens has returned with a variety of brand new activities.
There are three brand-new themed exhibits and a s’mores station that’s expected to be a favorite. They join the popular live DJ, the scavenger hunt and, of course, trick-or-treating for the kids.
“Bring those trick or treat bags,” the zoo’s event and marketing specialist Amanda Sciore said. “We’ll have 15 stations to go around the zoo and trick-or-treat with the help of a map.”
The event planning is led by Sciore and several other full-time staffers at Riverbanks, who start developing themes and activities as early as six months in advance.
“The entire zoo is really decorated by four of us,” Sciore said. “It’s our small little team. So we put a lot of pride, but a lot of hard work, into it as well.”
And while the planning is made up of a small and mighty team, the execution is anything but.
“We have about 850 volunteers that will be coming out to hand out candy to all of these kids,” Sciore said. “We definitely rely a lot on the community for these volunteer aspects because without them, this event would not take place.”
The volunteers come from all types of backgrounds, from locals who frequent the zoo to college students just looking to relive their own childhood, like Ava Schreffler, a junior at the University of South Carolina.
“I miss being a kid sometimes,” Schreffler said. “I remember having such good memories growing up being with your family and friends. So I think it’s really cool to be in on that and help create the fun for (the kids).”
So, neon light, pirate, sasquatch and UFO displays are unlike the typical things you see at the zoo. But what about the animals?
Most exhibits will be closed to allow the animals to rest, but mammal keeper Brooke Hunsinger said there will be some crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal animals that might be visible.
“There’s multiple different species of crepuscular and nocturnal animals,” Hunsinger said. “We have the Eurasian eagle owl, there is the Amur tiger, we have grizzly bear, along with other various species that they can see later in the evening.”
Included with those are the kangaroos, which Hunsinger said are usually active around sunset. The nocturnal Amur tiger will likely be making some appearances as well.
“You may see her patrolling her habitat,” Hunsinger said. “She may glance over when she sees people, which typically aren’t here at night.”
The event began Oct. 18 and continues through Oct. 30. This year’s is the first Boo at the Zoo event to span 13 days instead of the usual 7 to 10 days. It runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night. Both kids and adults are encouraged to dress in costumes, but adults are not permitted to wear full face coverings.
Riverbanks Zoo has hosted the ‘boo’ event for more than 30 years, with different themes each year.
Four people on the zoo’s staff plan each theme, including set design and lights.
New to Boo at the Zoo this year is a bonfire where attendees can make s’mores.
The zoo shies away from scary themes, to maintain a more family-friendly Halloween environment.
