The Louisville Zoo is starting to transform with lights, props and decorations as it readies for “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!”

The 26th annual community tradition provides not-so-scary fun for families (and fanciful trick-or-treating spots throughout the Zoo for kids 11 and under) for 14-nights (October 6-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-28, 2007).

This special Halloween party allows you to dress up in your wildest costume and set off on a magical journey through the Zoo. See your favorite storybook and movie characters come to life. Meet special celebrity pals from classic movies and cartoons.

There’s:

• Mumpkin the Giant Talking Pumpkin who greets visitors to the Halloween Party. Both kids and adults love chatting and joking with Mumpkin.
  
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs who are always happy to pose for pictures.
  
• Candyland Way where guests meet the most famous candy maker of all and enter an enchanted land of lollipops, candy canes and sweets galore!
  
• Pumpkinville, USA where hundreds of pumpkins, hay bales and other fall foliage are set on a hill full of lit jack-o-lanterns. (Hint: This makes this the perfect backdrop for photos.)
  
• The Yellow Brick Road which leads guests to the Land of Oz to meet favorite Oz characters.
  
• At Bedrockopolis guests travel to the land before time and meet friendly dinosaur pals along with their famous, comedic caveman friends.
  
• Pirate’s Cove where guests are greeted by seafaring characters from a giant 60-foot pirate ship.
  
• Kingdom of Far Far Away where a certain big, loveable green guy and his wife are ready to shake hands with anyone who visits.
  
• At Disco Dome guests can get down and boogie with weird and wonderful aliens.
  
• The famous Muggles & Magic Halloween Express Train ($3) provides heart-pounding excitement when the Headless Horseman chases the train on his powerful horse. Don’t worry—he hasn’t caught the train yet.
  
• The Spooktacular Haunted Carousel ($1.50) is only for the bold of heart, because unlike a normal carousel, it is lit with black lighting and spins backwards!
  
• And more! There just isn’t room to list all the fun you’ll have at “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!”

The PNC Financial Services Group Grow Up Great Mobile Learning Adventure will also be at the Zoo Oct. 12-14. The mobile unit contains fun and educational activities that help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life so that an entire generation won’t just grow up ... but grow up great.

“The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” at the Zoo is a treasured Kentucky tradition, and Kentucky Tourism Council recently named the 14-night event one of the “Top 10” Kentucky events for Fall 2007. The event draws more than 85,000 visitors each year.

Tickets for “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” are currently on sale at the Zoo’s website, www.louisvillezoo.org/events/halloween. Online ticket purchases are discounted to $6 (but there is limited ticket availability at that price). If you purchase tickets at the Zoo in advance or the night of the event, the cost is $6.50. Louisville Zoo members enter for free. Tickets are required for all visitors age 3 and up.

Group discount tickets are also available for groups of 15 or more at $5 each. You must call (502) 238-5348 to purchase, or you can order up to 30 tickets online.

Parking is $3 at the Zoo, or take advantage of free parking and shuttle bus service from Derby City Ball Field (located off Poplar Level Road by the Watterson Expressway). Shuttles start about 15 minutes prior the beginning of the event and don’t stop until the last car leaves the ball field.

Times for the “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” are:

• Thursdays and Fridays: 5 to 8:30 p.m. (Zoo closes to daytime visitors at 3 p.m.)
  
• Saturdays and Sundays: 4 to 8:30 p.m. (Zoo closes to daytime visitors at 2 p.m.)

“The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” is made possible by the sponsorship of Coca-Cola, with additional support from Kentuckianamoms.com and PNC Financial Services Group Grow Up Great.

Treat booth and attraction sponsors are: Toyota/Georgetown, Becker Law Office, Caufield’s, Arby’s and Texas Roadhouse.

Nightly sponsors include: American Family Orthodontics, Chili’s Grill and Bar, Delta Dental of Kentucky, Fazoli’s, Lead Safe Louisville, The Little Clinic and Wendy’s.

ROAD CLOSURES: Illinois Ave. will be closed to through traffic (except for local residents) during the event nights.

Please Note:  For their health and safety, most of the Zoo’s animals are not on exhibit during “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” While some of them have the choice of being outside to greet party-goers, for most of them it is healthier to follow their typical evening routine and settle inside for the night at the normal time.