Carve Fall Fun And Jack Hannas Fall Fest Into Your Calendar

Powell, OH, 2012-08-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — Celebrate the harvest season at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium during new fall hours and seasonal celebrations. Beginning Sept. 4 the Zoo will beopen from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Jack Hanna and his animal friends will visit the Zoo during Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest, presented by Fifth Third Bank, on Sept. 22-23 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest features country music and kid-friendly activities to get everyone in the fall spirit. Watch pumpkin carvers, sculptors, black smiths, soap makers and wood carvers while enjoying seasonal treats. In addition to other seasonal surprises, animals will be bobbing for one of their favorites treats – apples!

New to Fall Fest is Jack Hanna’s Pumpkin Carving Competition. Ten professional culinary artists will carve during a three-part competition to be judged by sculpting professionals and artists. For Part One, carvers will bring a pre-carved pumpkin display to enter into the People’s Choice Category. Part Two will require carvers to create a Zoo-themed, 3D masterpiece out of a single 300-pound pumpkin. Part Three will be a single 300-pound pumpkin with no specific theme. Scores from all events will be tallied to crown Jack Hanna’s Pumpkin Carving Champion.

Jungle Jack Hanna will appear live daily with his animal friends at the Animals on Safari stage. Hear about his adventures and animal antics and attend book signings and autograph sessions at various times throughout the day. This year’s Fall Fest line-up is as follows:

Jack Hanna LIVE on stage       Daily at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
*Jack will be available for book signing/autographs between each performance.

Country Character Caravan      Daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Animal Encounters Village      Daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

*Times may be subject to change without notice.

For more information please visit us online at www.columbuszoo.org. Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest is made possible with the support of Fifth Third Bank and the Dispatch Media Group.

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The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than10,000 animals representing over 575 species from around the globe. The Zoocomplex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also operates the Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact; contributing more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.