Ghouls, ghosts and goblins were among the must-see at the Johannesburg Zoo’s Owl’oween celebration. Back for the first time in two years, the two-day fright fest took place on 28 and 29 October 2022 at zoo.
Young and old came dressed up in costumes ranging from pretty princesses’ outfits to vampires and witches for the occasion. The zoo’s pathways were filled with laughter and sudden screams as entertainers jumped out of nowhere to scare, trick and treat the Owl’oween goers.
“Halloween is on our events calendar and another opportunity for families to visit the zoo and enjoy the great outdoors. Bringing events to the zoo is also a chance for us to showcase and educate visitors on the ecology of the zoo,” said Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
Moodley added that Owl’oween was the perfect platform for visitors to learn about the importance of owls, their population, myths around owls, how we can save these wise creatures and their significant role to the environment.
In addition to this years’ frightening but fun celebration visitors were also entertained with creepy clowns, a witches’ cove, a grim walk of darkness, a House of Horror and an Evil Circus.
The entrance to the witches’ cove was covered with orange ambient lighting and billowing smoke to set the scene. Children gathered in their numbers to receive a yummy treat after the witch had cast her spell.
The haunted house was dark and spooky. Upon walking in you, were scared out of your boots by grim reapers and men in masks. It was certainly not for the faint hearted!
It didn’t stop there! There was something for everyone. Stilt walkers in gruesome black and others in colourful outfits roamed the pathways as well. There were mummies and mime artists as well as puppet masters among many other Halloween talented individuals.
Tshepo Mashego, one of the men in a white ghostly outfit, based at the entrance of the grim walk shared his passion and excitement for the occasion. “I love Halloween and I love the excitement that children have when they experience all the scary themes. It is my first time participating at the zoo as a ghost but I have done many others in Cape Town.”
Mashego has mastered stilt walking, scary face painting and of course being the ghost of Halloweens past.
JCPZ hopes to have many other occasions where they can welcome regular and new comers to the Zoo. “We always love to encourage residents to spend more time outdoors in our parks and zoo. What better way to do that than spending it with animals too,” said Moodley.
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
31/10/2022