I received a call the other day from a parent very disappointed in their visit to this years event for Halloween at the Salisbury Zoo. They mentioned cheap candy, (no chocolate) and the actual event being somewhat of a bore.
Being that I know this is a huge event for the Zoo each year, I thought I'd reach out to everyone and see if they had the same impression.
30 comments:
Yes, it stunk. The mood was much like the weather is now, just very blah! The entertainment (dancers from D'Ann Dance Studio) was horrible. Let's hope next year is better, or just forget about this event altogether.
Joe,
I did not go, so I do not know if it was good or bad, but to complain that there is no chocolate, come on, grow up
This was my first year going to Night of the Living Zoo and I must say I was very disappointed. I think if you go you need go and just say you are giving a donation to the Zoo. It cost us almost $50.00 for my family of 5 and was extremely boring. Next time I will just make a donation to the Zoo instead of wasting my time waiting in line for 30 minutes to get into the event and then just walking to a few tables so the kids could get a few pieces of candy. I try not to be too hard because I know the Zoo needs the support but like I said I will just make a donation next time.
Oh no! Cheap Candy?!?!!? Heaven forbid that an organization with budget troubles decides not to give you chocolate!
Whatever happened to being thankful for what you receive and have? Since when is anybody entitled to free chocolate? And since when has free chocolate become more important than the welfare of the animals?
Salisbury seems to struggle with any kind of event here lately. No enthusiasm, brought on most likely from the admin. Someone earlier complained about the dancers at the park event, well those young folks probably didn't want to be there anyway. The youth of today doesn't give a rats patutty about these type of events. What a shame but Salisbury is becoming a dying crime laden city.
anonymous 10:20, For the price they charge to get in, the kids deserve to receive decent candy and entertainment. The Zoo makes over $30,000.00 during this event, now maybe $35,000.00. I think they have the room to not forget where they came from. Also, there's lots more competition and the Zoo will clearly lose a lot of traffic because of such poor decision making. It only takes one time to disappoint parents and they'll go elsewhere.
AMEN 10:26, i went like i do every year and the children had a blast and thats whats its all about the children. OMG leave the zoo alone. Next year DON'T GO!!!!!!
This was my first year attending this event, and I must say, the event was a major disappointment. The only highlight of the evening was watching the dancers from D'Ann Danse Studio perform. As usual, they put on an entertaining show. As far as the candy situation, however, I agree that it was shabby. They gave the children one piece of cheap candy at each table. Now, I was not expecting candy bars, but seriously- one piece of double bubble or a dum dum? We paid almost thirty dollars to get in, so I thought the children may get something a little better. In addition, after paying that much money to get in, you had to buy tickets to play on the bouncy or play games. While my son had fun (which was the ultimate goal), I was highly disappointed at the cost for what was provided in return.
Be sure to check out Treat Street on the Plaza on Halloween Night...hosted by the Salisbury Jaycees. A FREE safe trick or treating event for the kids!!
visit www.salisburyjc.com for more info.
The zoo is a waste of time and money, close it down.
I have been to this event the last three years and have to say that this year was the worst. I really could care less about the candy. In the previous years, you could kind of roam around freely and visit the martial arts and dance exhibits more than once (which are very good, btw, but better when it's dark) This year, the gestapo was out in full force, not letting anyone go back through a second time, or travel back. If they don't change this, I've gone to my last Night of the Living Zoo.
The crowd was very different to me this year. I felt it was lighted a little bit to much then it was last year. Overall as entertainment, the dancers from D'ann Danse were the most entertaining. They always keep everyone it seems happy with there dedication to MJ. Maybe next year maybe the zoo will do better.
I didn't go to the event but if it was organized by the genious's that thought that having all those people park along the golf course fence and pretty much anywhere then I understand what the people that paid so much to get in were feeling. It was a nightmare to get through that area..and don't get me wrong I'm glad the event gets money to the zoo, my issue is that anyone could have been hit by a car on that road. People were just flying out from behind cars and not even paying attention. Its bad enough the street through there is very very poorly light, but to have people running out in dark clothes with poor lighting is asking for an accident.
All 4 of my children had a great time at the zoo.
I disagree with the above statement about the dancers. They had a nice set, good choice of music, and the dedication to MJ was awesome! Definitely the highlight of the night- kudos to all of you.
I think im gonna find somewhere else to take my kids next year. I go every year & this year was a waste! Kinda like last year. They have those jumping rides & you have to purchase tickets... WTF! Dont they make enough money that they could use that as a perk, part of the cost that you pay to get in? I will NOT partake next year!
It's funny when somebody who probably doesn't even know anything about dance have an opinion about dance. D'Anns Danse rocked it. The dancers were dancing for 3 hours straight for both nights! Props to their dedication and their love for the dance! It is truly inspiring to many of us! I would love to see whoever that was commented above do what D'Anns Dancers were doing those two nights. You probably can't even a "two-step"
I actually enjoyed the Night of Living Zoo a lot! It's nice to have an event like that once in a while.
Went with family to zoo and loved it, everyone had a good time! D'Anns Dance and Mitchell's marshal arts were very entertaining.
Yes, the candy should have been done better. Yes, the crowd control and one-way traffic pattern were unpleasant and should be reconsidered. I much preferred the opportunity to wonder around and visit the shows more then once. And, there was not one good reason that I can think of for not having at least one moon bounce free. Times are hard for the folks attending too, so in retrospect, perhaps the zoo committee was a little to greedy!
But all in all, our family went and had a good time! And, it appeared to be very well attended.
This was my first time taking my son to the Night of the Living Zoo and yes, I thought it was too much money for so little. I didn't really care about the type of candy my son was getting but I though they would have more "stuff" to look at for kids other than going from table to table for a few pieces of candy.
Hope our $$$ go to good cause but next year we will not attend.
I took my son and step son to the event and the older children running around unsupervised using bad language cutting in line and acting like "hood rats" ruined the evening for us.
Try the Harvest Fest at Mardela High School on the 30th from 5:30 till 8:00 They will be doing hallway trick-or-treating, a hayride, pumpkin painting and also have a Pirate and Pixie costume and snack party event for the little ones! The kids will get to spend time with their favorite pirate or pixie! This was a great success last year and it will be even better this year!
to all the people complaining about his opinion... GET OVER YOURSELVES! no one cares so shut up.
We took our 4 children and everyone had a good time. It was fun for the kids to dress up. If you didn't want to spend so much money you should get a Zoo membership and then you get free tickets and don't have to stand in line. Who cares about the candy it was just to have fun. Kids like any kind of candy.
Way too expensive when you have three kids, like me. The kids and I enjoy the smaller town activities, like Mardela is having. Salisbury just can't get it right for some reason, too money hungry I guess.
The changes in the traffic pattern and extra lights this year was to meet requirements of the fire marshall. All in the name of safety should an emeregency occur. Otherwise there would have been no program. It was different, but most of the kids seemed to have fun.
Try Teacup Cottage in Fruitland. There will be face painting, pirates, knights, princesses,and lots to do. Plus, the kids not only trick or treat but they have photo ops with all the characters.
We went last year and again this year. It was less generous with the candy, less tables giving it out. And there were less animals on display then last year. And the trail seemed shorter. But it is a fund raiser for the zoo. My kids just liked dressing up and walking in the dark w/ the other kids. The dancers and martial arts were nice for the kids to see. They do it for free too! We bought our tickets earlier in the week so didn't have to wait on line. And the parking on the streets can be dangerous. Maybe people can volunteer and help make it more sucessful next year! Everyone likes to comment but how many people will roll up their sleeves and help out? You don't like it? Then don't go next year or help make it better!
Dumb question...but isn't the music and noise distressing to the animals? Most zoos, even with plenty of people, aren't real noisy.
I did not go this year. I am curious as to how many outside vendors were actually there though. Parents are complaining about the candy handouts,(as if kids now a day's aren't full of snickers and skittles already) wouldn't that be the vendors responsibility and not the Zoo? And if that is the case then the blame should be on the vendor. On the other hand if there were a limited number of outside vendors (as I have seen in the past) this would be in my opinion the zoo just hurting themselves. If they'd not do "exclusive" vendor types maybe more vendors would be able to come set up, more candy would be distributed, children will have more to see and the zoo may make a couple more dollars from vendors and not have to charge the parents quite so much. Just an opinion, as everyone has..
I have taken my 3 kids to this event for years. I agree that this year was different. My biggest complaint was the militant man controlling the line for the haunted trail( the scary part ). He was rude while lining people up, yelling and accused my preteen of trying to get in without a ticket. I paid for 6 tickets--we all had one and there was no problem. Why this accusation? It was embarrassing and unnecessary. We also witnessed a drunk person being confronted by this same militant employee, threatening to call the police(appropriate) and voices were raised and threats were thrown about. I certainly did not want to see this type of behavior in front of my young children and many other children at the event--it was more scary than anything else at the zoo that night.
We will not go again--ever.
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