LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) -- Boo at the Zoo is underway at Columbian Park.

The annual Halloween event is bringing the community together for fun family activities. This year, it has been split into two weekends to accommodate Covid-19 restrictions.

There are three visiting sessions a day allowing no more than 300 people in at once. Activities include a pumpkin carving contest, where participants can vote in their favorite submissions. They're also hosting a costume contest for visitors. There are a number of Halloween-themed exhibits and displays and the petting zoo is open.

Director Neil Dale said despite covid restrictions, there's still lots to enjoy.

"Come out and see the zoo all decorated up for Halloween. The animals are all out and we have some Halloween themed enrichments out for the animals and there's still a lot of the old traditional boo at the zoo things to see along with some new changes this year," said Dale.

This is one of the zoo's biggest fundraisers.

"We're a free zoo so we depend on the public a lot to help give us support but we also want to make sure that these events are fun for the public, it's not just something that they can come and just feel like they're just giving us money and not getting any return so we try to put on the best show that we can," said Dale.

Tickets are $5 for adults and children ages 3 and older Tickets can be purchased online here or at the door for $7.
Session hours Saturday and Sunday are 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.