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Two weekends of Halloween fun

Zoo denizens will get some costumed creature counterparts.

Come in, all you costumed critters, as the Zoo says 'Boo!'

By Monica Peters, For The Inquirer

Posted: October 19, 2012

Get in the Halloween spirit at the Philadelphia Zoo on Saturday and Sunday for the annual two-weekend "Boo at the Zoo" celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kids can come in costume, fill up bags with goodies at candy stations, and play games. At noon a costume parade begins at Bird Lake Plaza. From 11 to 3 on the hour and half hour, hear not-so-spooky stories in the Peco Primate Reserve. Take a walk through the Extinction Graveyard and learn about favorite creatures from the wild that may become extinct in 15 years, such as orangutans, and about others already extinct, like the Tasmanian wolf in 1936. Other activities include music performances by the Little People Live at the Fisher Price Little People Stage at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

"Boo at the Zoo" continues Oct. 27 and 28.

"Boo at the Zoo," 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave. Zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Activities are included in admission, which is $18; $15 ages 2 to 11; free members and 1 and younger. Information: 215-243-1100, www.philadelphiazoo.org.

Bucks County Pumpkinfest 2012

See 200-pound carved pumpkins, musical performances for kids, and more as Bucks County celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Pumpkin Fest this weekend at Fonthill Park.

The rain-or-shine fest, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m., will feature kid-friendly groups including Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band, School of Rock, and Ernie and Neal. Other activities in the children's area are face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin painting, games, and inflatable rides. Radio Disney will be at the festival from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Attendees can get horse-drawn hayrides - and also visit the fest's pumpkin gallery, which features 100- to 300-pound pumpkins carved by local artists.

Bucks County Pumpkin Fest 2012 is presented by the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania Inc. in partnership with the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation. The fest is an alcohol- and drug-free event.

Bucks County Pumpkinfest 2012, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fonthill Park, 130 Swamp Rd., Doylestown. Admission is $5, $3 ages 12 and younger. Weekend passes are $8 and $5 for children. Event is free for ages 2 and younger. Information: 215-345-6644 or www.councilsepa.org.

'Hansel and Gretel' at the Rotunda

The opera Hansel and Gretel comes to West Philadelphia for two shows at the Rotunda.

The stage production, presented by husband and wife Dorothy Cardella and James R. Longacre of Touch of Classics Musical Entertainment, tells the German tale by the Brothers Grimm. A brother and sister are sent into the woods for strawberries and encounter the evil witch's gingerbread house. The witch tries to turn them into gingerbread, but they outsmart her and end her reign of terror. Families are encouraged to dress in costume. Refreshments will be available.

"Hansel and Gretel" opera, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. Admission is $15, $10 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Cash only. Information: 215-432-3362 or www.therotunda.org.

Contact Monica Peters at mpeters@phillynews.com.