Long Beach's El Dorado Nature Center and Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) are teaming up to host the Howl-o-ween Festival on Saturday, October 21. Promising an array of activities, this event aims to intertwine community involvement with a playful touch of Halloween, according to the City of Long Beach press release.
Encouraging families, and animal enthusiasts to participate, Mayor Rex Richardson emphasizes the festival's potential for wholesome experience and pet adoptions. Among the planned activities in the Nature Center's trails is a trick-or-treat adventure, stories from South Coast Storytellers, and hands-on fun in the Ohhh-possom Patch.
The celebration continues at Long Beach Animal Care Services, featuring an educational village, a treat-filled "Bark-o-Treat," to quickly adopt a pet, and a Día de los Muertos pet memorial. Special attention is given to pet adoption — adoption fees will be waived for the entire event.
Visitors are encouraged to dress up for the affair, but domestic pets should remain at home. Last admission to the trail and the animal shelter is at 5 p.m, according to the announcement.
The Howl-o-ween Festival not only spreads Halloween cheer but also highlights environmental and animal programs provided by El Dorado Nature Center and LBACS. Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw sees the festival as an opportunity for familial enjoyment while also showcasing the substantial contributions Nature Center and Animal Care Services make to the community.
Brent Dennis, Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine, acknowledges the festival's role in highlighting environmental education and animal welfare, underlining the necessity of fostering knowledge and support for these services. LBACS Acting Bureau Manager, Melanie Wegner, echoes this sentiment, urging residents to meet the "adoptable pets" at the shelter during the event, as mentioned on the press release.
