FORT WAYNE — The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s 37th annual Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank opens today, Friday, Oct. 16, featuring adventure, family fun, and tasty treats that are just right for pint-sized guests.

Highlights of the upcoming weekend include:

Friday, Oct. 16 “PLUMPkin” Day

A super-sized pumpkin will be on display, and the guest who correctly guesses the pumpkin’s weight will win a Zoo Ticket Package. No additional charge beyond zoo admission.

Saturday, Oct. 17 Princess Day

Princess characters and ballerinas will charm zoo guests from 1-3 p.m. at various locations within the zoo. Families are encouraged to take photos with the characters. No additional charge beyond zoo admission.

Sunday, Oct. 18 Mascot Day

Families can meet and take photos with local mascots including Icy, Johnny, Spotz, Johnny Cougar, Don the Mastodon, Sparky the Fire Dog, Bill the Lion, and Admiral Andy from 2-4 p.m. in the Australian Adventure Plaza. Appearance times vary for each mascot. No additional charge beyond zoo admission.

Additional theme days at the Wild Zoo Halloween include:

Oct. 22 — Free Carousel Rides

Oct. 23 — Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp – Animals get pumpkin treats

Oct. 24 — Hero Day – Meet local fire, police, and military from 1-3 p.m.

Oct. 25 — Star Wars Day – Meet Star Wars characters from 2-4 p.m.

Oct. 29 — Free Carousel Rides

Oct. 30 — Pumpkin Decorating Workshop – Decorate a mini pumpkin to take home

Oct. 31 — Cans for Conservation – Bring an empty aluminum can and get a free ride ticket for the Z.O.&O. Railroad or Endangered Species Carousel. One ticket per person, good Oct. 31 only.

Details on all Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank theme days are at http://kidszoo.org/wild-zoo-halloween/

Every day of the event, guests can trick-or-treat for candy at the Treat Trails, view zoo animals, meet Broomhilda the friendly witch, visit the Beauty Shop of Horrors, see giant-sized pumpkins, and more. Children can choose their own mini-pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch. Animal sculptures made out of pumpkins are always a guest favorite. Train riders will hear “Tale of the Twisted Tree” as they venture into the Franke Park woods.

Kids are encouraged to wear costumes. The zoo is decorated for Halloween and features several photo spots where guests can take their own pictures. Back for its second year is the Wild Zoo Halloween photo contest.

New for 2015, the Wild Zoo Halloween path passes through the Indonesian Rain Forest, where guests can see Asmara the baby Sumatran orangutan before the zoo closes for the winter. Asmara was born Nov. 22, 2014. Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered in the wild. In support of orangutan conservation, all treats at the Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank are palm-oil free or are manufactured by companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. The sustainable production of palm oil is crucial to the survival of orangutans, because their rain forest habitat is often destroyed to create poorly managed and unsustainable palm oil plantations.

In addition to the Indonesian Rain Forest, the Central Zoo, portions of the Australian Adventure, and the Parkview Physicians Group Pavilions will be open during the event.

The Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank is a fundraiser for the zoo, which is a nonprofit organization receiving no tax funding for operations.

Admission to the Wild Zoo Halloween is $5 for all ages; admission with treats is $9 for all ages. Zoo Members receive $2 off admission. Babies age 1 and under are admitted free but are charged $4 if they receive treats. Additional fees are charged for the Z.O.&O. Railroad, Endangered Species Carousel, pony ride, and bracelet-making. Food is available for purchase.