SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Zoo and Gardens will be hosting a new signature event for the month of October called ZOOtoberFest, according to a press release from the zoo. The event will be held every weekend for the month of October through Columbus Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ZOOtoberFest will provide entertainment for all ages including San Francisco’s largest hay maze, outdoor games to play and children can jump in the bounce house at the new “Harvest Hallow” attraction. The “Harvest Hallow” attraction is located behind the lion fountain and is open to all guests with paid admission to the San Francisco Zoo.
Inside the “Harvest Hallow” is the hay maze that spans 5,000 square feet, is made up of 600 bales of straw and features play areas within the design of the maze. A family photo opportunity is available with cornstalks, pumpkins, festive fall décor and seating area.
Rachel Eslick, Marketing Communications Manager, told San Francisco News in an email, “We hope people enjoy the fall décor woven throughout the Zoo, which lends to a festive and fun environment for all ages!”
The zoo’s, The Depot Grill has been transformed into the “Zoo Brew Haus” which will feature German beers, food and live music. The specialty beers will be served in custom keepsake ZOOtoberFest mugs and one German-inspired dish that will be served is a beer-braised bratwurst with Guinness mustard and sauerkraut. The “Zoo Brew Haus” will be open on Saturdays and Sundays only.
“Over the next four weekends, we’ll have Duckmandu, Big Lou The Accordion Princess, Philip der stein Sextent, and Ron Borelli’s German Village performing live at the ‘Zoo Brew Haus’,” Eslick told San Francisco News.
On Saturday, October 8, the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Band, in town for Fleet Week, will be performing at the San Francisco Zoo at 3 p.m. The 15-piece ensemble band will stop by the Playfield for a 20-minute set of uplifting music.
The final weekend of ZOOtoberFest will include the event “Boo at the Zoo.” This event encourages children to come dressed in costume and trick-or-treat at various stations throughout the zoo, a costume parade and contest, watch animals enjoy treats and pumpkin enrichment, and go on the haunted Nature Trail. These activities will be complimentary with paid admission to the zoo.
“Recent additions at SF Zoo include three Chilean flamingo chicks (and counting) as well as a female juvenile guanaco. Our newest exhibit features Coquerel’s sifaka, a species of lemur that can leap 30 feet in one hop,” Eslick told San Francisco News.
The San Francisco Zoo and Gardens is located at Sloat Boulevard at The Great Highway. ZOOtoberFest will be open on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
