Sunset Zoo visitors look at flamingos Saturday afternoon. The zoo held its annual “SPOOKtacular” Saturday and Sunday. (Staff photos by Brady Bauman)
The animals at Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo observed visitors more than they were being watched Saturday afternoon.
There was plenty to look at.
The zoo welcomed 7,848 visitors this Saturday through Sunday for “SPOOKtacular,” its annual trick-or-treat event. This marks the largest attendance for the event since it began in the mid-1990s. Last year held the previous record with 5,500 guests.
With the busy weekend, the zoo’s annual attendance hit over 81,000 guests for the year. This is the first time the zoo has welcomed over 80,000 annual visitors in its 81-year history, according to its press release.
Visitors attend Sunset Zoo’s “SPOOKtacular” event Saturday afternoon.
Over 20 local businesses’ and not-for-profit organizations sponsored the candy stations throughout the five trick-or-treat trails including a handful of business vehicles as candy stops. The event also featured a zoo-wide costume contest.
The event was presented by Manhattan Broadcasting’s Z96.3, B104.7, 101.5 K-ROCK and KMAN. Several community sponsors also made this event possible including: Bluemont Church, Central National Bank, De Hart Plumbing Heating & Cooling, Friends of Sunset Zoo, Furniture Warehouse, Hy-Vee, KMC Dermatology, Konza United Way, K-State Athletics, Lawrence Virtual School, Little Apple Lanes, LSB Bank, Manhattan Town Center, Merry Maids, Murdock Manhattan, Navy Federal Credit Union, OZ Museum, Sunflower Pilot Club & Little Apple Pilot Club, United Bank & Trust, and Via Christi Hospital.
