The Gladys Porter Zoo played host to the 19th annual Boo at the Zoo Thursday night.

The festivities will continue this evening at 6 p.m.

The event is a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating and features music, food and a costume contest.

The zoo expects more than 12,000 people during the two days, said Cynthia Garza Galvan, marketing director for the zoo.

This year, the zoo is putting extra emphasis on their haunted house, which features a maze of 360 yards filled with screams and monsters.

The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Zoo members will be admitted an hour early at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $3.50. Zoo members get in free. For more information, call (956) 546-2177.

 For a list of Halloween festivities and other weekend entertainment, see The Scoop.

 BOO AT THE ZOO

When: 6 to 9 p.m. tonight

Where: Gladys Porter Zoo;

500 Ringgold St., Brownsville

Admission: Tickets are $3.50. Zoo members get in free.

For more information: (956) 546-2177