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The Saint Louis Zoo is hosting its annual Boo at the Zoo, a family friendly activity, hosted by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital from Oct. 15 to 30. The zoo is open like normal during the day, and closes at 4 p.m. to reopen for Boo at the Zoo, which is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and can get a goody bag at the end of the night.

Many of the animals aren’t out during Boo at the Zoo, but there are many activities like the carousel and interactive storytelling. Free shows are hosted each night, with shows like Juggling Jeff and Chef Bananas aimed at young kids.  

“We saw the bears, rode the carousel, and took lots of photos,” Mallory Ostermeyer said. She has been attending Boo at the Zoo since her daughter, Coco was born three years ago. This year, she also brought her five month old son, Sully. “For kids, it’s perfect.”

All the activities at the zoo are free during the event. For non-members, admission is $8, and for members it is $7. Kids under two are free.

“Because we’re zoo members, it’s a good value,” said Deb Ostermeyer, Mallory’s mother.

An outside company sets up the lights and decorations around the zoo.  Zookeepers like Jan Sansone are there more to monitor the few animal enclosures that are open. 

“It’s pretty simple,” Sansone said. “We [Emerson Children’s Zoo] used to offer a show, but it got for a lack of a better word, crazy. We are just making sure the people are safe and the animals aren’t overwhelmed.”

All the activities for kids makes it a yearly staple for families in the Saint Louis area for young children.

“It gets really busy,” Sansone said. “Usually when the weather is nice we get a good crowd.”