October 31st - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Clark Gardens BOOtanical has "Gone to the dawgs!" On October 31st between 5:00 and 8:00 pm, Clark Gardens BOOtanical Park becomes a marvelously fun place for kids of all ages to enjoy Halloween. The BOOtanical is also a time we participate in a area-wide food drive benefiting local service organizations, food banks and anmial shelters.

There will be:

• Activities designed for children 12 and under.
• Trick or Treating
• Arts & Crafts
• Games
• Ghostly Movies
• Dog Costume Contest
• Costume Contests for Kids and Adults
• Childrens' Costume Parade
• Walk on the Wild Side - through the enchanted forest and learn about the life of animals after dark.
• DJ Music
• Food & beverages available from local vendors.

BOOtanical Purpose
The goal of the event is three fold:

• To provide a safe, fun, family Halloween event.
• To help stock the local food banks' pantries and support local animal shelters.
• To provide inspiration and education on nature and environmental responsibility.

Focus of BOOtanical
To be an inexpensive, safe and fun place to enjoy Halloween while learning about nature and fostering area-wide participation.

Admission
Admission to this Halloween event is free with the donation of:

• Nonperishable food item
• Pet food
• Otherwise, regular admission fees apply during the BOOtanical event.

Costume Contests for People & Dogs

The people and dog costume competitiona are a favorite among BOOtanical attendees and participants alike. In 2011 over 70 delightfully costumed people, ranging from infants to adults, participated and approximately 12 dogs were entered into the competition. Age categories have been expanded to allow for more people to participate for: 0-3 years of age; 4-6 years of age; 7-10; 11-15 and 16 and up.

The people costume competition is from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with the pet costume competition starting at 7:00.

This year we have added a twist to the event-we have literally "gone to the dawgs." The winners of our pet costume competition will be crowned Mr. and Mrs. Barker County and Mr. and Mrs. Palo Pinto Paws County. Of course there are official duties that go along with these titles including among other things attending Clark Gardens' festivals or representing the Gardens at ribbon cuttings or other important area events. Bonus points will be given to those pets that have a platform or cause they campaign for.

2012 Costume Contest Winners

Age 0-3

Age 4-6

Age 7-10

Age 11-15

Age 16 and Up

Mr. & Mrs. Barker County

Mr. & Mrs. Palo Pinto Paws

More Activities

Additional BOOtanical activities include games and music under the big tent, old fashioned cup cake walk, and a walk through the ghoulish garden. The G-Scale Trains will be operating out of their haunted depot. Back by popular demand is the fun, educational experience "Walk on The Wild Side." Visitors are escorted through the Garden by volunteers who light the way. Along the way, actors from the Mineral Wells High School Drama Department, led by Kris Allen, offer an informational and entertaining program on nocturnal animals that inhabit the garden. BOOtanical guests will be entertained by a fortune teller and Venue 2:17 will be on site selling snacks and beverages.

Thanks to Many Volunteers

Clark Gardens relies on volunteer organizations and individuals to help host this event and we are very thankful to the volunteer groups who choose to participate.

The Center of Life is helping with the children's games, the GALS sponsor the cupcake walk and CARE (Community Animal Rescue Efforts of Palo Pinto County) will have dogs available for adoption. Other volunteer organizations include the Zonta Club of Mineral Wells sponsoring the candy drive, Venue 2:17 and the Mineral Wells High School Drama Club.

Interested in Helping?

Candy and treat donations may be delivered to the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce. Individuals or groups interested in volunteering or sponsoring BOOtanical may contact Clark Gardens.