562.570.3233
Jane.Grobaty@longbeach.gov
Community Information Officer
Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine
Above: Photo from the 2022 Howl-o-ween Festival.
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine’s El Dorado Nature Center and Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) will host a family-friendly Howl-o-ween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.).
“Kids, families and animal lovers will have a great time at this year’s Howl-o-ween Festival,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “There is so much to do at the El Dorado Nature Center and Long Beach Animal Care Services building, where we have many activities for all ages and a lot of pets that need a home.”
Residents will enjoy a hare-raising adventure trick-or-treating along the Nature Center trails, hear spine tingling tales from the South Coast Storytellers, meet animal education groups, and enjoy crafts, face painting and bounce houses at the Ohhh-possom Patch. Food will be available for purchase at onsite food trucks. Parking for the event is free and a $5 donation per entry to Partners of Parks Friends of El Dorado Nature Center is encouraged.
Festivities will also take place across the parking lot at Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E. Spring St.), where people can participate in spooktacular activities such as the animal education village, “Bark-o-Treat,” and a Día de los Muertos pet memorial in remembrance of the spirits of pets passed. Those interested in participating in “Bark-o-Treat” should bring two bags of unopened dog treats, one to donate at the check in table and the other to drop one treat in the dog kennel candy buckets. To encourage the responsible, mindful adoption of animals in need of a home, adoption fees for all pets will be waived during the Howl-o-ween event.
While this is a family-friendly event where costumes are encouraged, four-legged furry friends should be left at home. The last Nature Center trail and Animal Shelter entries will be at 5 p.m. For more information call 562.570.1745.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at this fun Howl-o-ween event,” said Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw. “It is a great way for families enjoy the Halloween season and possibly adopt a new fury friend.”
“This festival is a great way to showcase how El Dorado Nature Center supports environmental education and how Animal Care Services raises awareness of programs and services that support the health and welfare of animals,” said Brent Dennis, Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine.
“I am excited to welcome residents to the Shelter to meet our fantastic adoptable pets,” said Melanie Wegner, Acting LBACS Bureau Manager.
More information about Howl-o-ween is available at Howl-o-Ween Festival.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about Long Beach Animal Care Services is available at longbeach.gov/acs and by following @lbanimalcare on Instagram, Facebook, and X.