Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City hosted its annual Boo at the Zoo event, inviting families to celebrate Halloween in a unique setting. The event featured trick-or-treating, animal encounters, and festive activities, drawing attendees of all ages dressed in costumes.
Local businesses set up booths throughout the park, handing out candy to children as they made their way through the zoo. This Halloween tradition offered a safe and enjoyable experience for the community while showcasing the zoo's diverse animal exhibits. Families had the chance to take photos at various designated spots, with children dressed as everything from superheroes to princesses.
Darrell Garbacik, the city’s superintendent of central maintenance and former park superintendent, reflected on the zoo’s growth. Having spent 18 years with the city's Park Department, he noted how much the zoo has evolved over the years.
"The zoo has come a long way, not just with the facilities and exhibits, but even with the surrounding spaces,” Garbacik said. “It’s a special place. It's the only zoo in the United States built on a sand dune, which makes it unique. One thing I love is how people can get up close and have intimate, interactive experiences with the animals.”
For Garbacik, the highlight of Boo at the Zoo is seeing families and children of all ages enjoying themselves, from babies in strollers to adults. He praised the zoo staff for their dedication to both animal care and conservation efforts, noting how the zoo's mission extends beyond its local grounds.
"I think people, especially those who haven’t been here in a while, are always struck by how far the zoo has come and how nice everything looks,” Garbacik said. “That’s a testament to the zoo staff, from the director to everyone else, who really care about the animals and about educating the public on the zoo’s mission. The zoo not only takes care of its animals but also helps raise awareness and funds to support species worldwide."
Zoo Director Jamie Huss explained the extensive planning involved in hosting the event, which starts nearly a year in advance. Sponsors from the community play a key role in making the event possible, donating candy and helping to staff the booths.
“We couldn’t do this without our sponsors,” Huss said. “The event is a fun day for families, but we also try to incorporate small educational elements, like asking vendors to bring palm-friendly candy.”
For Huss, the event is an important way to give back to the community, and her favorite part is seeing the creative costumes and decorations from visitors and vendors alike. With the event growing each year and support from volunteers, such as students from Marquette Catholic High School, Boo at the Zoo has become one of the zoo’s most popular and exciting traditions.
The zoo also makes efforts to be environmentally conscious, collecting unpainted and untreated pumpkins after the event to feed to the animals in November. This provides enrichment for the animals and ensures that the pumpkins do not go to waste.
Eva Baumann, a Chesterton resident attending the event with her young son, shared her first impressions of the event.
“This is our first time attending Boo at the Zoo,” Baumann said. “My son, Teddy, is having a blast! He loved seeing the animals and was really excited to go around collecting candy. He started to open it right away — he’s had a lot of fun eating lollipops and checking out the animals. He also got to sit on the fire truck, so it was like a two-for-one experience.”
Baumann appreciated how well-spaced the event was, noting that it wasn’t overcrowded and that the layout made it easy to see the animals. She particularly enjoyed that some of the animals were rescues, and her son loved interacting with the barn animals. Baumann enthusiastically recommended the event to others, saying it was a fun and family-friendly experience.
Boo at the Zoo has become a popular tradition in the Michigan City area, drawing families from the community and beyond. It serves as a way for the zoo to connect with the public and foster community involvement while supporting its mission of animal care and conservation. It remains a community tradition, offering families a safe and engaging way to celebrate Halloween while supporting the zoo.
For more information, visit emichigancity.com.
