CLEVELAND METROPARKS PREPARES FOR A PLETHORA OF HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

September 11, 2014

Learning about creatures of the night, sharing spooky stories and carving pumpkins are the key ingredients to creating the perfect Halloween concoction. Luckily, all of these ingredients, and even some extra sugar and spice, can be found this fall in Cleveland Metroparks. From nature center events to Boo at the Zoo presented by Giant Eagle, odds are you will find family-oriented Halloween activities to help make lifelong memories.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Boo at the Zoo this year with a safe Halloween event that's fun, not scary, and sure to make lasting memories for one low price. Boo at the Zoo takes place October 16-19 and 23-26 from 6-9 p.m. Come see the animals after dark, check out crafty decorations throughout the Zoo, watch live entertainment, get down at the Monster Mash Dance Party and be sure to flaunt your favorite costume! Tickets are $8 per person, or $7 for Cleveland Zoological Society members. Tickets are on sale now at clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo.

Stop by CanalWay Center at Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation throughout the month of October to learn all kinds of creepy-crawly spider facts while observing live spiders. If you're lucky, you might even be able to catch spider feeding time! For the ultimate spider spiel, visit CanalWay Center on October 17 from 3 - 4 p.m. and join Naturalist Sarah Dudziak while she debunks some common spider myths.

Parents with preschoolers should be sure to mark their calendars for �Beautiful Bats� at Garfield Park Nature Center on October 16 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Children, ages 3-5 with adult supervision, are given the opportunity to hear a story, sing songs and create a fun batty craft. Register by phone or online to secure a spot and introduce your preschooler to these not-so-scary creatures.

In addition to night crawlers and fliers, Halloween is always associated with pumpkins. Have you ever stopped to wonder why that is? On October 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. Garfield Park Nature Center is hosting an event full of the fascinating history of pumpkins and how they became the most popular type of squash around. There will even be taste-tests included. Come back on October 26 between 2 and 3:30 p.m. and get creative with paint, pumpkin patterns and safety knives when you bring your own pumpkin to carve.

Register by phone or online by October 24. Pumpkin carving will also be taking place on October 29 from 6:30-7:30 at CanalWay Center. A $5 registration fee includes carving tools, patterns and snacks. Guests are also encouraged to come dressed in costumes!

If your family loves hiking and spooky stories, then the Haunted Hike at Skinner's Run was created for you! Stroll beneath a canopy of old oaks as you discover the chilling history of Skinner's Run, known today as West Creek. Hear haunted tales of the past and present during this family-friendly journey that stretches approximately 1.5 miles. The hike begins at Monarch Bluff Picnic Area in West Creek Reservation on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about Cleveland Metroparks programs, visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

Boo at the Zoo is presented by Giant Eagle with support from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

SUE ALLEN - 216-635-3338, sja@clevelandmetroparks.com

JOE YACHANIN - 216-635-3310, jgy@clevelandmetroparks.com