Not only did weather cooperate over the weekend for Brookfield Zoo's annual Halloween costume parade and contest, but the winners provided some great dress-up ideas. Last weekend, I served as one of the judges both days and I'll be back this weekend, too.
Brookfield Zoo calls this Boo! at the Zoo and it offers an array of "spook-tacular activities for the whole family."
Fisher-Price, Bright Start College Savings Program and Jamaican Tourism were among the corporate sponsors for this year's fun, which continues again this weekend with a 1 p.m. parade on both Saturday and Sunday with a costume showcase afterward on the East Mall at 1:30 p.m.
Everyone receives a prize for participating and there are also first- and second-place "big prize" winners in four categories: scariest, best animal theme, most original and best group theme. For judging duties, I was joined by Loyola physicians Dr. Joseph Leija, Dr. Bipan Chand, Dr. Kevin Polsley, Dr. Thomas Esposito and the hospital's media rep Stasia Thompson.
Admission to Brookfield Zoo is $15 for adults and $10.50 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Parking is $10. For further information about Boo! at the Zoo activities, visit CZS.org/Events or (708) 688-8000.
As for the most popular costumes, there were 94 contestants Saturday and 168 Sunday.
What I saw the most of during the weekend was zombies, fairytale characters, vampires, pumpkins, Disney princesses and characters from "Toy Story," along with plenty of superheroes of all sorts, while butterflies, jellyfish, pigs and bats ruled the animal kingdom of favorites.
Here are the winning photos from Saturday and Sunday's competitions. Look closely, and you'll see a "chick magnet with chicks," the Big Bad Wolf scaring both pigs and Little Red Riding Hood, the Stone Age "Flintstones" cartoon family (complete with their foot-operated car), jellyfish, Lego ninjas, Edward Scissorhands, a bubblebath and Gumby.
See you for Round Two again this weekend at the Brookfield Zoo!
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