October 20, 2021
Page 7
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
Prelude to
‘Howloween’
Some of the world’s largest
land animals demolished some of
the area’s largest pumpkins as the
Oregon Zoo kicked off its 23rd an-
nual Squishing of the Squash last
week, a prelude to this month’s
Halloween activities.
This year’s pumpkins were
provided by Pacific Giant Vegeta-
ble Growers Club members Larry
Nelson and Jacob Baldridge.
The zoo’s annual “Howlow-
een” celebration takes place over
two weekends, Oct. 23-24 and
Oct. 28-31, when kids can show
off their costumes and learn about
wildlife in a fun and safe setting.
The Squishing of the Squash
tradition dates back to 1999, when
Hoffman’s Dairy Garden of Can-
by dropped off a prize-winning
828-pound pumpkin for the ele-
phant family. In those days, local
farmers often donated overstock
Zoo ushers
in annual
celebration
photo by Shervin Hess, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo
Pachyderms from the Asian elephant family at the Oregon Zoo
pulverize pumpkins in prelude to the zoo’s special “Howloween”
festivities, Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 28-31.
pumpkins for use in the zoo’s
groundbreaking animal enrich-
ment efforts — improving ani-
mals’ well-being by providing
stimulating and challenging envi-
ronments, objects and activities.
The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends. To plan
your trip, go to oregonzoo.org/visit.