Halloween events at Alameda Park Zoo set for this weekend

ALAMOGORDO — Zoo Boo and Zoo Broo, two of the community's most anticipated events, will be held inside the Alameda Park Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The free events are hosted by the city of Alamogordo's Special Events Department, Burt Broadcasting and the French Brothers.

Kicking off the festivities is Zoo Boo, a free trick-or-treating event at the zoo from 9 a.m. to noon. Last year's Zoo Boo saw over 5,000 residents enter the park. Typically about 40 local businesses set up booths throughout the zoo and give children many opportunities to gather Halloween candy. 

"It's a lot of fun and something for the whole family to do," said Special Events Manager Kerry Uribe. "Everybody has fun there. You also get a chance to see all kinds of local businesses that may not have known were here. Come out and have fun with your family." 

More:5,000 attend annual Zoo Boo event

Costumes will take center stage at 11 a.m. during the annual costume contest. There will be three age categories: 0-3; 4-7; 8-10 and prizes ranging from $10 to $25 will be given to the top three winners in the categories of scariest, cutest and most original in each age group. There will also be a family category, offering a prize to the best family costume.

Early registration for the costume contest is being held at the Sgt. Willie Estrada Civic Center, 800 E. First St., each day this week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, registration must be completed between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 

Zoo Broo festivities will cater to the adults Saturday night during the third annual event from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This event is free to the public, for those 21 and over, and ID is required for entrance.

"We're going to have some outdoor games, liquor service and a DJ," Uribe said. "

Community members are encouraged to come to the event in costume. Prizes for the adult costume contest will be awarded to first, second and third places.

For more information, call the city's Special Events Department at 439-4353 or email Kerry Uribe at kuribe@ci.alamogordo.nm.us.