The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo will host its 29th annual “Boo at the Zoo” on Friday, Oct. 31.
The family-friendly event will run from 3 to 7 p.m. at 3000 NW 83rd St. in Gainesville.
SF College Teaching Zoo students will recreate the 10-acre educational animal habitat into the festive “Boo at the Zoo,” a spooky, yet safe, trick-or-treat adventure. The annual event draws thousands from North Central Florida.
The zoo will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday as SF students transform the zoo into a themed Halloween experience with candy stations. Families can enjoy the Fun4GatorKids KidsZone in the zoo’s parking lot, full of community organizations with crafts, activities, and even more candy.
There will be live entertainment from Danscompany of Gainesville, performing their “Thriller Trilogy,” animal encounters, food trucks, and the LifeSouth Bloodmobile — in keeping with the vampire season.
Admission
One non-perishable food item per person, which will support Catholic Charities and Saints Food Share at Santa Fe College. The entry line and food donation drop-off will start behind the SF gym. Visit with SF student clubs, play games with the Saints Athletics teams, or check out a book from the Alachua County Library’s Bookmobile before trick-or-treating.
Parking
Attendees should enter the SF campus via NW 39th Ave and 91st Street. Parking will be available in Lots 8 and 9, located across the street from the zoo, as well as in the grassy lot adjacent to Lot 9. Overflow parking will be in Lots 6 and 7 (near SF Police and the Museum of Earth Sciences). North Road will be closed from the construction school to the SF gym at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Accessibility
Accessible parking will be in front of Lot 8 (closest to the gym). Individuals with accessibility needs can enter the Zoo Member Fast Pass line. Look for the zoo canopy in the gym parking lot for a shorter line.