Thousands of pumpkins line the lawn at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton for the zoo's month-long Pumpkin Fest, which opened Thursday, Oct. 1.

The event runs daily through Saturday, Oct. 31, at the five-acre zoo on North Gary Avenue, as Patch reported. Visitors can browse and buy pumpkins, decorative gourds, fresh apples, cornstalks, straw bales and apple cider. A daily scavenger hunt gives kids something to chase between the animal exhibits, and face painting runs on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a donation, according to the zoo's event page.

Kid-friendly carnival rides, geared toward preschool-age children, are available for an additional fee. The rides are provided by JBR Fundways, which splits profits with the zoo, according to Wheaton Park District board minutes. The board approved a $36,227.62 payment to the vendor for the rides contract.

Regular zoo admission rates apply for Pumpkin Fest. Rides and purchases cost extra.

Cosley Zoo also hosts a Spooktacular Halloween Stroll on Friday, Oct. 16, from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. The evening event features seasonal decorations, activities and pumpkin decorating along the zoo's walkways. Costumes are encouraged.

Tickets for the Spooktacular Stroll are $12.95 per person. Children ages 0 to 1 get in free, but every attendee needs a ticket. The zoo's event page urges families to register early to secure a spot.

After Oct. 31, leftover pumpkins don't go to waste. The zoo uses them as enrichment for its animals, feeding them to deer, cranes, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and lynx. Reptiles and ambassador animals get gourds and mini pumpkins for texture and smell enrichment. Cosley Zoo, operated by the Wheaton Park District under Director Greg Bockheim, is at 1356 N. Gary Ave.