News

Pumpkin Fest opens at Wheaton's Cosley Zoo

Posted October 02, 2017 1:00 am

Daily Herald report

Summer Meers, 16 months, poses for her mom, Sara of North Aurora, during a visit Monday to the pumpkin patch at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton. The zoo's annual Pumpkin Fest runs through the end of the month. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com

Thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are scattered across the grounds of Wheaton's Cosley Zoo during this month's Pumpkin Fest celebration.

In addition to all those pumpkins, the zoo at 1356 N. Gary Ave. features a straw-climbing pyramid, rides, and plenty of apples, gourds, cornstalks and straw bales that are available for purchase.

And, of course, visitors to the 5-acre site operated by Wheaton Park District also can visit numerous animal exhibits, featuring farm creatures and wildlife native to Illinois, including white-tailed deer, red fox, Blanding's turtles, bobcats, a coyote and black-crowned night herons.

Organizers say the fest is the second-most popular event of the year at Cosley, rivaling its December Festival of Lights.

Admission to the zoo is $7 for adults ages 18-54, $6 for seniors 55 and older and free for kids 17 and younger. Admission is free for everyone with a Wheaton Park District Universal Resident ID.

The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 daily.

For details, visit cosleyzoo.org.

Renata Moskal of Hanover Park snaps a photo of her grandson, 2-year-old Lucas, at the Cosley Zoo pumpkin patch. The zoo's Pumpkin Fest features rides, a straw-climbing pyramid and lots and lots of pumpkins. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com

Zoe Smith, 3, and brother Liam, 1, of Schaumburg pick out pumpkins during a visit to Cosley Zoo. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.