Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

October 12, 2011 - Jacksonville, Fl -

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announces its 24th annual fall festival, Spooktacular, on October 20-23 and 27-31. Gates are open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the Zoo open until 10:00 p.m. This year’s theme, Lands of Enchantment, will feature family-friendly attractions, including the Wonderland Trail, as well as favorites like the Monster Mash Sock Hop and the Fairgrounds, with a giant slide and bounce houses. Visitors young and old will marvel at the hundreds of carved and painted pumpkins lighting up the Pumpkin Patch. The Enchanted Forest, with its frog prince and princess, fairies, wizards and unicorns, as well as the comical Pirate’s Cove will once again delight trick-or-treaters.

For the more adventurous guests, there are three optional scare zones:  The Tomb, The Ghostly Garden, and the Forest of No Return.  These areas offer adults and children ages 10 and up the opportunity to get spooked!  These scare zones are not for the faint of heart.

“I know how important it is for parents to have a venue where their little ones can have fun in a safe and familiar environment,” says Tony Vecchio, Executive Director. “We are thrilled that the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens fills that need in our community.  It is so rewarding to see this beloved event continue to grow every year.  I’m especially excited about the optional ‘Scare Zones’ we will have again this year that now make this event a ‘must see’ for older kids too.” 

Event attendees are encouraged to come in their favorite family-friendly costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating, music, dancing, and delicious food - all while viewing some of their favorite zoo animals including the bobcats, alligators, jaguars and giraffes. Spooktacular, presented by Pepsi, is Jacksonville’s premier Halloween event for safe, family fun and entertainment.  It is also the Zoo’s largest fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the care and feeding of the animals. Admission is $8 for members, $10 for non-members, and children ages two and younger are free.  Parking is free. On Thursday, October 20 or Thursday, October 27 only, guests receive a free glow-in-the-dark necklace with paid admission.  To purchase tickets in advance at a discount and for more information, visit http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

For more than 96 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment.  Since its beginning in 1914, with an animal collection that consisted of only one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has become one of the top zoos in the nation.  It now features more than 1,800 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. Preservation of sustainable biodiversity is a key mission of the Zoo.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  It is open year-round, seven-days-a-week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information, go to jacksonvillezoo.org.