[Columbia, SC] - Boo at the Zoo attendance is up more than 20 percent from projected figures according to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

"We typically give out about 200,000 pieces of candy over the three-weekend run. This year, we've had to call in reinforcements and expect to hand out almost 400,000 pieces of candy by the time Boo at the Zoo ends on Sunday night," said Satch Krantz, executive director of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

The Halloween craze, and Boo at the Zoo's wild popularity this year, is attributed to a nationwide trend towards extending Halloween into a month-long celebration. "Halloween isn't just one night anymore," Krantz said.

Riverbanks staff and volunteers are expecting 10,000 kids and parents to attend Boo at the Zoo's final weekend, which runs from Thursday, October 27 through Sunday, October 30. The first two weekends saw record crowds with lines of costumed kids waiting to enter the Zoo when the clock struck six.

"We can't stress the importance of advance tickets enough for this event. Come by the Zoo during the day and pick up your Boo tickets for that night, so that you can guarantee you'll avoid the lines," said Krantz. "We've got families that are coming back each weekend because their kids just can't get enough of Boo."

Boo veterans have loved the Zombie Zone, Mummy's Eeky-Freaky DJ Dance Party, the Endangered Species Graveyard, Boo's Bat Cave and the BatZ and BonZ Castle. With Riverbanks' Safari Bucks, parents can treat their kids to extras like rides on the Hobgoblin Express and the Haunted Carousel, a glimpse at the short 3-D Halloween movie Haunted House and a yummy snack of roasted marshmallows. Ask any kid, though, and it all comes down to the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Twenty miniature houses scattered throughout the Zoo give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Boo at the Zoo has had a three-week run that began October 14 and will conclude this weekend. This weekend's hours are from 6:00 to 9:00pm Thursday, October 27 through Sunday, October 30. Tickets are $5 for Society members and $7 for the general public, ages three through adult. Parents who bring kids ages two and under don't have to worry about paying admission for their tykes unless their toddlers want to trick-or-treat. Parents can help kids prepare for a good time by leaving their homemade trick-or-treat bags at home. Each paying child will receive a Boo bag - the Zoo's official candy-collecting bag - sponsored by Palmetto Pride.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.riverbanks.org, by phone at 803.779.8717 or in person at the gate. Advance tickets are recommended for families who want to avoid the lines.