By: Molly Gase

This Saturday the first of a series of Boo at the Zoo trick-or-treat events will be happening at the Akron Zoo.

Boo at the Zoo is an annual event that allows trick-or-treaters to collect candy and have fun with the Halloween holiday within the safety of the zoo.

The event is sponsored by Acme Fresh Market and is occurring throughout the month of October. The family-friendly evenings of not-so-spooky fun start at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m.

While the event is specifically designed for young children, it does not exclude students from The University of Akron. Anyone is welcome to walk through the festively decorated zoo, and for reduced price. Trick-or-treaters’ tickets are $10, whereas visitors who just wish to walk through the zoo can gain admission for $6.

A homemade pizza buffet will also be available at the zoo for the price of $6.99 per adult and $4.99 for children. The buffet includes pizza, salad and dessert pizza, among other things. The buffet closes at 8:30 p.m.

Students from The University of Akron not only have the opportunity to enjoy the Halloween festivities at the zoo, but some, like those from the Sigma Alpha Lambda honorary society, are also volunteering.

SAL members are students who have achieved academic success while at The University of Akron. The group has taken part in other similar events in the past, such as volunteering at the Polar Express event near Christmas time. This year, they are working at the zoo to help children have a fun and safe trick-or-treating experience.

According to President of SAL Ashley Gordon, 12 Sigma Alpha Lambda members will be volunteering at the zoo this weekend. The students will be assigned different tasks at the event, like passing out candy at various treat stations throughout the Zoo. The students will also be dressed up in Halloween costumes.

Gordon said that the volunteers “are very excited to have the opportunity to help create memorable Halloween experiences for children in the local Akron community.”

Tickets for this event can be purchased at the Akron Zoo or at all Acme Fresh Market locations. Members of the Akron Zoo can attend for free, but must pay to participate in trick-or-treating.

This year, the Akron Zoo will have two new stations included in their event, the Farmland and Enchanted Forest. Children and adults alike can enjoy the festivities at the zoo throughout the month of October.