Boo at the Zoo Strikes Back!

Last week, I promised to report on anything NEW over at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo during our second weekend of “Boo at the Zoo” with Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and Rancor Clan.  Looking back, I may have taken that oath a bit literally.

How about we start with what stayed the same?  “Boo at the Zoo” is the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s is a neighborhood of safe Halloween entertainment for kids, featuring lights, games and other fun activities as families tour the many animal exhibits during the evening hours.  This was the final weekend of “Boo at the Zoo” for 2014 and (just like last week) Saturday night was SOLD OUT!

One thing that was different was the weather -- which was BEAUTIFUL, unlike last weekend.  This meant that more people were coming dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes, minus the winter coats; a tradition for anyone who grew up in NE Ohio. 

Another thing different was that with the exception of Snips and myself, we had an entirely different crew from last weekend; all of them “Boo at the Zoo” rookies.  We started off in our usual spot by the main entrance and people would ask if they could get pictures with us -- as we at GLB like to say, “it’s what we do!”  However, once the zoo was opened up to the public to explore Snips had the idea of mixing things up a bit from our standard routine.  Traditionally, we wait for the crowds to disperse before we go exploring the zoo for ourselves. However, since the weather was so nice and sunset wasn’t for another hour or so, we decided to start our patrol of the zoo while it was still daylight.  In fact, we got all the way up the hill by the Wolf Lodge, tigers and bears (oh my!) exhibits before it got really dark and more people stopped us for photos along the way then we typically get waiting by the main entrance. 

After meeting up with a pair of late arrivals from Rancor Clan, our group made it’s way towards the opposite end of the zoo.  We stopped for a while at the newly restored “Circle of Wildlife Carousel” -- featuring sixty-four, individually carved animal figures, all hand created by an Ohio-based company.  This thing is BEAUTIFUL to look at and was originally part of the old Euclid Beach Park from 1910-1969.  Restoring this carousel has been a labor of love for the Cleveland Metroparks and now a new generation of kids will get to build a lifetime of memories riding this famed attraction.

From there our group took a “walkabout” through the Australian-themed exhibit and Reinberger Homestead, past the “Elephant Crossing” (who smell a lot like Banthas) until we were back at the main entrance and most of our guys were ready to gear down for the evening.

GLB "Mission Photos" -- Cleveland Metroparks "Boo at the Zoo"

It had been a different type of evening for us at “Boo at the Zoo” – but as always, it also was a lot of fun!

Boo at the Zoo

Having been around the galaxy as much as I have, you tend to look for things that stand the test of time.  There is a rich history of trooping at Cleveland Metroparks “Boo at the Zoo” since long before Great Lakes Base even existed.  While some would argue that makes this particular event boring, it doesn’t as Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and Rancor Clan return for another FUN tour at this Cleveland area tradition.

“Boo at the Zoo” is a family friendly event, hosted by the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, where they decorate the zoo in lights and other non-scary Halloween entertainment as families get to visit many of the animals and exhibits.  “Boo at the Zoo” features: animal shows, a Not-So Haunted Greenhouse, train rides, a hay maze, along with dozens of stilt walker and other entertainers.  And despite your typical NE Ohio late-October weather (cold and rainy) this event was once again SOLD OUT!

One of the things I like most about trooping “Boo at the Zoo” is that it’s a reminder about what trooping should be all about.  Over the years, I’ve developed friendships with many of the other costumed performers who work EVERY night of the event.  For example, there’s this man who plays a stilt-walking clown called “Pee-Chee” that has been part of this event for as long as I can remember.  As it turned out, he had recently gone through major heart surgery – and yet he’s back out there making kids smile (a little shorter then I remember him) which means he’s got more “heart” then a lot of people.

The other thing I love about trooping during “Boo at the Zoo” is to watch the people coming in get dressed up for Halloween; even when you have to find a costume that goes with your winter coat over it.  As you can imagine, there were A LOT of Elsa and Anna from Disney’s “Frozen”, Superheroes and all the usual favorites.  As an avid Star Wars fan, I was pleased to see many kids dressed up as Star Wars characters: Darth Vaders of all sizes, a few Jedi younglings, Captain Rex and the clones are still popular and even Ezra from the NEW “Star Wars Rebels.”

GLB "Mission Photos" -- Cleveland Metroparks "Boo at the Zoo"

Once our group was free to wander the zoo, we made our way up the hill to the Wolf Lodge; where our favorite pair of costumed Cellists who will play a selection of Star Wars music whenever we spot us walk in!  Later, we got to meet Chad Schofield from the Cleveland Gladiators arena football team.  This is another reason why I love coming back for this event: our guys do a little work… then get to have fun!

We have one more weekend at “Boo at the Zoo” this weekend, so I’ll try reporting on some of the new additions to Cleveland Metroparks in my next report; after I enjoy some funnel cake!