Two Asian elephants, Chendra (left) and Shine, enjoy a pumpkin during last year's event; courtesy of the Oregon Zoo
Oregon animal lovers can celebrate Halloween in a unique way tomorrow at the Oregon Zoo’s annual “Squishing of the Squash” where the zoo’s elephants will demolish one of the area’s largest pumpkins.
The zoo’s Asian elephants will trample and gore a 1,100 lb pumpkin, provided by Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers members Larry and Christy Nelson of Albany. Additional pumpkins are provided by Al’s Garden Center.
“Our elephant family will get a thousand-pound-plus pumpkin to stomp on, play with, munch on and maybe even roll around in,” said elephant curator Bob Lee. “It will be a different location this year — the north section of our new Elephant Lands — so it will be fun to see what they do this time.”
The squash-squishing will take place in the northernmost position of the new Asian elephant habitat known as Elephant Lands. The exhibit is currently undergoing a massive expansion that will ultimately quadruple the elephants’ space and dramatically enhance their daily experiences.
The Oregon Zoo is well-known for its Asian elephant program, which has been in existence for more than 50 years. Asian elephants are threatened by habitat loss, conflict with humans and disease and are considered highly endangered.
The event is part of the run-up to the annual Howloween celebration on Saturday, which will feature scavenger hunts and special jack-o’=lantern feedings for the zoo’s animals.
For more information on the Zoo and all of its holiday events, visit the Oregon Zoo’s website.
See video of last year’s Squishing of the Squash below:
Related Slideshow: 10 Great Halloween Parties to Sneak Into
A Freaky Affair at Grand Central Restaurant & Bowling Lounge
Want to get a little freaky this Halloween? Then head to Grand Central Restaurant & Bowling Lounge for a "Freaky Affair."
The party will feature music from DJ Phil Robinson, Halloween drink specials, a carnival arcade, a freak show and more. Don your best costume and compete in the costume contest—winners will take home some sweet prizes.
Portland 2015 Bollywood Horror XIII Halloween Costume Dance Party at the Analog Theatre
Check out the longest-running Bollywood Halloween party in the world. A Portland original, the event will feature music from DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid.
There will be prizes from local businesses for the best costumes, and psychedelic Bollywood Horror visuals remixed by Micah Schmelzer and Deai from Anjali and The Kid’s vault of South Asian horror.
Where/When: Analog Theatre—720 SE Hawthorne Blvd. at 9 PM
Photo via DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid's Facebook page
2015 Halloween Cruise: Boo! Cruise with Portland Spirit Cruise
Why not spend Halloween on a boat? If you have recently seen Titanic, you might succumb to actual fear. The 2015 Boo Cruise allows you to enter the Portland Spirit with your most creative or creepy costume for just $30.
Dear Drummer will provide live music for the evening, and prizes will be dished out to the best costumes throughout the evening.
When/Where: Salmon Street Springs Dock, 1000 SW Naito Pkwy at 10:30 PM
McMenamins has something for everyone this Halloween, from trick-or-treating to live music to scary movies.
All ages are welcome at this one. Freak Mountain Ramblers and Black Widow Porter will provide live music, and there will a beer and whiskey tasting session.
Heaven & Hell Portland Halloween Party at EastBurn
Think you have the best Halloween costume in the city? Well then prove it at EastBurn's Heaven and Hell Party, where they'll give out $500 for the best costume of the night!
There will also be prizes for the funniest costume, scariest costume and the best couples costume, and music provided by Gold Foot and DJ Blas
The Midnight Serenaders Halloween Bash at the Secret Society
If you want a smoother Haloween, then check out the Midnight Serenaders at the Secret Societ.
The Midnight Serenaders will be accompanied by swing dance performances by Melissa Roane & Friends. Attendees should prepare for a night of mischief and dancing, with drink and food specials abound.
Can't decide on one spot for Halloween this year? Take it mobile with the Hell on Wheels party bus.
The bus will make stops at six different bars around the Rose City, making sure you hit all the spot spots this Halloween. But there will also be quite the party on board the bus—including music, drinks and more
America's largest murder mystery comedy dinner show is coming to Portland for Halloween.
The night's best sleuth will receive a special prize—but it won't be easy. In this show, everyone is a suspect and the murderer could be sitting at your table!
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