Zooloween Boo treats Oshkosh to a tricky day of spooky fun
Boo! The Menominee Zoo struck fear and festivity into the hearts of all this spooky season. Everyone was welcome to visit the zoo to learn more about the animals and partake in a variety of spooky activities. The event was organized and run by various volunteers and community groups. Sam Call was one of the volunteers at the event, representing the Mat Rats Oshkosh Wrestling Club.
“The Zooloween Boo was an amazing experience; we got a chance to hand out candy and host various games,” he said. “We were able to host all kinds of activities for all ages to enjoy. There were bean bags, ring toss, raffle prizes, and more.”
Junior Elise Palecek saw many groups from throughout Oshkosh at the event.
“I think that the Zooloween Boo lets local groups make themselves known so they’re seen by more people there,” she said. “There was Planet Fitness, the Boy Scouts, A&W, a karate place, and the Veterans Museum.”
Zooloween Boo provided a space for the games amidst their normal events. Palecek and other park-goers were able to admire the animals and enjoy spooky activities.
“You could still go around the zoo,” she said. “They had the Zooloween Boo part on just the half with the otters and miniature ponies.”
Zooloween visitor Anika Lemace brought her entire family to enjoy the day out.
“We saw many advertisements for the Zooloween Boo,” she said. “It was in our local radio stations, as well as all over social media.”
Palecek found the event to be an entertaining way to pass time.
“I heard about the Zooloween Boo because my brother worked at the Boy Scouts booth,” she said. “I walked around with the kid I babysit, and we went to different tables and got candy and played games.”
Personally, Palecek was ecstatic to get up close and personal with some of the animals at the event.
“I got to pet the snakes, and I enjoyed it,” she said. “They were very cute.”
Lemace was grateful for the new experience and felt satisfied with the activities.
¨It's all our first time coming to this and it’s something new to do with the kids,” she said. “We thought it would be a great family event; the kids can have a good time playing games and we can support the community.”
Like the Lemace family, many share the sentiment of being able to expand their horizons to new activities. After seeing the great turnout, Call was excited for new possibilities in the future.
“I hope that each year this attraction will continue to grow,” he said. “It gives everyone a time to interact with others, as well as bring in more support for the animals in the zoo.”’
The zoo not only gave people more time to spend with others such as family and friends, but it also allowed for greater socialization that has been missing from many lives since the beginning of the pandemic. Call was glad to help in the celebration.
“It was the best feeling to see the kids excited to put on a Halloween costume and to be around animals while competing in fun contests,” he said. “It gives more opportunities to children to meet new people their age.”
Overall, the zoo brought people into the spirit of Halloween and got them ready for more fall festivities to come.
“Despite the cold weather, it was really nice to see everyone enjoying what the Zoo had to offer,” sophomore Sommer Wermes said. “The Menominee Zoo made a fun activity that allowed everyone to get outside and enjoy an autumn day in the community.”
Regardless of the cool temperature, everyone still pulled together to create an entertaining environment leading into the fall holidays.
“I think it truly brings the community together,” Call said. “We get to bring happiness to kids as well as help bring in a large crowd to the zoo, to help support the workers and animals there.”
by Allison Simmons
Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 2
November 1st, 2021