It was an afternoon that felt like a pumpkin carriage was waiting. As I walked along the path covered in yellow leaves, I saw a little witch, a dinosaur, and a bee running together ahead.

I visited the Bronx Zoo's Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo. Since it was open today, a holiday Monday, I hurried out in the morning.

Let me summarize this year's schedule. It started on September 26 and runs every Saturday and Sunday until November 1, with an additional day on Monday, October 12.

So, after today, the remaining weekends are October 17-18, 24-25, and then the 31st and November 1, making three weekends left. Since Halloween falls on a Saturday, the last weekend is likely to be quite busy.

You don't need to buy a separate event ticket; it's included with the zoo admission. If you're a WCS member, there's no extra cost.

However, you need to reserve your admission tickets in advance. The official guide mentions that spots fill up quickly, so if you think about it leisurely the night before, you might be too late.

There was a nice change this year. There are no timed tickets, so it doesn't matter what time you enter.

The admission fee varies by date. According to the official site, adults (ages 13 and up) start at $28.95, seniors (65 and older) at $26.95, and children ages 3-12 at $20.95.

Children under 2 are free. If you drive, general parking is $22 for the day, so if you're going as a family, be sure to factor that in.

The zoo is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM on weekends and holidays in October. The last entry is 45 minutes before closing, and animal exhibits close 30 minutes prior.

Most of the event programs are scheduled between 11 AM and 4 PM. So arriving before lunch is the most relaxed option.

The kids were most excited about the Costume Parade. It starts at Astor Court at 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3:15 PM, led by tall stilt walkers and puppeteers.

It was like watching little ghosts follow behind, reminiscent of the Pied Piper story. Of course, this parade has a very happy ending.

Right after the parade, a Dance Party kicks off. It starts at 12:15 PM and continues every hour, with the last one at 3:30 PM.

The Candy Trail is only available at Rhino Trail from 11 AM to 2 PM. Each family can go once, and candy is only given to the kids, so don't expect any for the adults.

Also, these candies are said to be palm oil-free products. It felt nice to see such a zoo-friendly choice.

This year, a new addition is the Hay Maze at Butterfly Patio. It's a maze and obstacle course made of hay, with tasks that involve crawling, climbing, and balancing like animals.

The Pumpkin Garden at Rhino Garden is open until 5 PM, making it a great spot for photos. As the sun sets, the pumpkins shine in orange, making it feel like Cinderella's carriage could roll out at any moment.

There are also pumpkin carving demonstrations from 11 AM to 4 PM, with speed carving at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Watching an owl's face emerge from the tip of a knife makes you lose track of time.

Animal Chats from the zookeepers are also a new program this year. They take place in the following order: Tiger Mountain at 10:30 AM, World of Reptiles at 11 AM, Big Bears at 1 PM, and Birds of Prey at 2 PM.

I particularly enjoyed the Birds of Prey session. Every time the raptors tilted their heads like a witch's owl, the kids gasped in excitement.

Magic shows are at 11 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM. Kids aged 3 and up can also get free face painting from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Additionally, there are puppet shows at the Wildlife Theater, spooky story times, an exhibit honoring lost animals, and carnival games. Keep in mind that all outdoor activities may change depending on the weather.

There was a slight downside. The lines in front of popular shows were long, so if you don't check the schedule in advance, you might miss both the parade and the animal talks.

So if it were me, I would plan to enter at 10 AM, listen to the tiger talk first, then do the Candy Trail at 11 AM, watch the parade at 12 PM, have lunch, and take my time taking photos in the pumpkin garden in the afternoon.

You can check the official schedule at BronxZoo.com/Boo. Since the schedule may change, I recommend checking it again before you head out.

On the way back, I saw geese lined up by the pond heading to their nests. It felt like today was a page from someone's picture book.