Indianapolis Zoo
Throughout my time at Ball State University, I had the opportunity to work at the Indianapolis Zoo as a Public Event Assistant for ZooBoo and CATZ 2025-2026 season. On a team of three assistants, myself included, and higher authority were able to individually lead separate events throughout a day into night and rotate leadership throughout the weeks and months. Scroll below to see the contributions made. Photos taken were granted with permission and some with the help from the team.
Christmas at the Zoo 2025
Front Entrance
Ensured the lights were working properly and decorations were intact. Visiting choirs would perform at Christmas at the Zoo. As a Public Event Assistant, it was our responsibility to greet them around this area and guide them to a waiting area before/or where they would perform.
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Frozen Gardens
Ensured the lights were working properly and decorations were intact. If needed, would work with a team to turn lights back on within weather conditions.
Blue Ribbons
Another assistant and I helped to wrap blue ribbons around poles within Frozen Gardens. If one became unraveled due to weather would re-wrap and ensure decoration was back in place.
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Global Center
Assisted in ensuring that the monitors and television were working.
If not, would work with several departments to resolve the issue.
Santa's Sleigh Photo Opportunity
Guests would get a chance to take a picture in Santa's Sleigh.
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Checking on photographers to see if they need anything throughout the event
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Checking on status of the crowds
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Turning on candles for the photoshoot
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Decoration set up included bringing the presents to the room
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Cleaning up debris from decoration
Reindeer Enclosure
Guests got the chance to meet some of Santa's Reindeer! Zookeepers would assist with the well-being of the reindeer. Daily duties would include to check upon the reindeer and Zookeepers to see if needed anything. Decoration set up included assisting the placement of Christmas Trees to comfortability of the Reindeers.
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Vacation Santa
Guests got the chance to meet Vacation Santa! Daily duties included checking on
crowds to make sure lines were in order and flow of viewing the fun stayed consistent.
Gingerbread Junction
Decoration set up included helping to ensure gingerbread figures were in position. Daily duties included walking through the area to ensure lights were working properly, things were clean, and people were respectfully viewing the props.
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We Three Kings
Somedays included ensuring the lights were plugged in.
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Photo Opportunity
Ensuring guests were happily engaging with the photo opportunity.
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Santa's Village
Located within the Pavilion of the Zoo, Santa's Village held a magical experience full of engaging activities for guests to do and many festive characters to meet. Daily duties included turning on overhead music and lights. Working with others within the team to ensure "snow" was flourishing and on cold days the fireplace had a comforting glow.
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Ice Princess and Jack Frost
Walking around Gingerbread Junction and Santa Village's village guests might get the chance to meet Ice Princess and Jack Frost. Daily duties included to ensure check-in's
and wellbeing surroundings of the characters.
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Santa's Cottage
Within Santa's Village is the location of Santa's Cottage, where guests would get to meet and engage with magical characters. As a Public Event Assistant Daily, daily duties included opening all doors, turning on the heat, lights, and music within the cottage, as well as technology needed. It also included re-positioning and setting up the stanchion line properly. It was also our job to welcome and walk volunteers to selected areas to help assist in the flow of the line for the cottage as well as interactive duties that helped the assistants with the event.
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Outside the cottage, guests were most likely to meet Mrs. Claus as well as a few of Santa's Cottage (Elves) or Helpers.
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Decoration set up included rolling out and placing the red carpet.
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Santa
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Check in and assist with other departments in the flow of traffic for crowds coming out of the cottage and was ready to assist if a situation occurred. In addition, assisted in ensuring guests would not go behind the scenes and the area was clean and cleared at all times.
Mirror Maze
Next to the cottage, is the Mirror Maze. Daily duties included opening and closing of the maze as well as a walk through throughout the morning, evening, and ending of the event to ensure cleanliness and that lights were working properly. In addition to guiding volunteers to help around the entrance of the Cottage, they would also help assist in the entrance of the Mirror Maze. When their breaks and shifts were over, me along with the other public event assistants, would help maintain the entrance line as well.
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Reindeer Gifts
In addition to the Indianapolis Zoo's Main Gift Shop,
Reindeer Gifts was an additional gift shop located in Santa Village.
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Penguin Enclosure
Within Santa's Village, Zookeepers brought out 1-2 penguins for guests to see. When the weather conditions
were warmer, the Zookeepers would bring out ducks. Daily duties included not only communication
with the keepers but also assisting in cleanliness of the decoration in front of the enclosure.
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Volunteer Dogs
Throughout the event's season, Volunteer Dogs would come to Christmas at the Zoo to interact and delighten guests. When present, daily duties included placing information signage out, welcoming, and bringing the guests to where they would be for the evening.
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Tunnel
Due to weather conditions, would assist along with other departments in ensuring the tunnel was turn on.
Choirs
Visiting choirs would perform at Christmas at the Zoo. As a Public Event Assistant, it was our responsibility to greet them around this area and guide them to a waiting area before/or where they would perform.
The choirs would perform in Santa's Village in front of the fireplace. As a public event assistant not only
did I stay to watch the performance but also ensured crowds were being respectful to the singers. ​
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Mrs. Claus' Kitchen
Located within Santa's Village, is Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, where
guests would get the chance to frost and buy a cookie.
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Ginger
Walking in between Gingerbread Junction and Santa's Village, guests would get the chance to meet Ginger. One of Santa's Head (Elf) Helpers.
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Wireframes
Wireframes were placed all throughout the zoo. As a public event assistant, it was out job to ensure they were turned on and worked with other departments if technical difficulties occurred. Decoration set up included clipping and tiding up the area around the frames.
Forests
Holly & Sprinkles
Within and outside of Santa's Village, guests may
have gotten the chance to meet Holly & Sprinkles!
Holly & Sprinkles are two of Santa's Elves who make
cookies and present in a show throughout the event!
Daily duties included check-ins for their well-being
and communication with different departments
according to weather for shows.
In addition to their personal show, Holly & Sprinkles would
also make an appearance at the Christmas Tree Lighting Show.
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S'mores Station
Guests got the opportunity to buy a kit, roast a marshmellow, and put together S'mores!
As a public event assistant, it was our job to ensure the other departments running the station were well, and if needed or a situation occurred, would be ready to assist.
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Christmas at the Zoo firepits
Firepits were placed in different locations of the zoo to help guests stay warm. Various departments would assist in setting up and staying by the pit. As a public event assistant it was out job to ensure the other departments were well and if need or if a situation occurred would be ready to assist.
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Indianapolis Zoo Christmas Tree
The Indianapolis Zoo's Christmas Tree held a lighting show for several nights throughout the event. Multiple shows included Holly & Sprinkles assisting a special guest in having the chance to light to the tree. As a public event assistant, it was out job to ensure there were no technicalities and the Light Switch was brought out and properly placed.
Flights of fancy
As a public event assistant, it was our job to ensure that the decoration and props were in place.
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Plains
There were many wireframes placed in plains, as a public event assistant would ensure that
the lights were turned on if otherwise would help assist with the issue.
Macaw Tree
Located within Plains was also the Macaw tree. Although the Macaw Tree did not
have its own Light Show, the tree still presented wonderful lights.
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Indianapolis Zoo Train
Around the train track were Orbs that glew different colors. As a public event assistant, decoration set up included placing, putting together, staking, and technically attaching the orbs so each could function properly. If situations occurred, worked with various departments and others to help resolve the issue.
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Red Ribbons
When setting up and decorating for Christmas at the Zoo, as a public event assistant
it was my job to put red ribbons together and wrap all of the poles within the zoo.
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Zooboo
Front Entrance
When setting up for ZooBoo, as a public event assistant, it was our job to ensure decorations were intact.
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ZooBoo 2025 Main Sign
Once entered into the zoo, guests got the opportunity to take a photo with the main sign
of the event. As a public event assistant, it was our job to turn on the fog machine.
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Global Center & Gardens
Going through gardens, guests would not only see pumpkins, but also videos of
spiders, rats, and bats in the Global Center and once outside the center, a Zooboo truck.
Bat Alley
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Setup preparations for Bat Alley include props
were in place with the help of others. Guests got the opportunity to see characters walking around.
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Zooboo Photo Opportunity
Pumpkintown
Located within the Pavilion of the Zoo, was Pumpkin Town. Pumpkin Town held a thrilling experience full of activities for guests to do and many characters to meet. Daily duties included turning on overhead lights and on cold days working with other departments to ensure the fireplace was a glow. A few days of ZooBoo, would be sensory days, which are days that specifically designed to accommodate guests with special needs. In preparation for those specific days as a public event assistant would work with other departments to ensure those accommodations were met.
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In pumpkin town with various pumpkin decorations, I helped to put the pumpkins back where they belong if someone would accidentally rearrange or knock one over. I also helped to keep area clean and ensure guests were respecting props and displays.
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Leeward Manor
Located within Pumpkin town was Leeward Manor. Leeward Manor was the home of three Leeward sisters: Terra, Bubbles, and Wisp Leeward. Guests got to meet them throughout their visit in the Manor and in Pumpkin town. Daily duties included opening and locking doors, turning on lights, music, and effects within the manor. As well as walking the inside throughout the shift to ensure all was well. Duties would also include ensuring the Stanton line was prepared, set, and closed for before and after the event. In addition, would help greet and walk volunteers to Pumpkin town to help assist the duties of the event.
Wisp (A Leeward sister)
Outside the manor guests would get the chance to meet Wisp. She could also be found within the manor greeting guests with a warm welcome. Guests would also get to see the chimney brewing and enjoy the warm weather while standing in line. Daily duties included checking in on characters wellbeing as well as the volunteers that helped the staton line as it would become very long throughout the evening.
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Inside Leeward Manor
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Daily duties also included turning on candles, ensuring rooms were clean,
and working with various departments
if technical issues occurred.
Bubbles (A Leward sister)
Walking through Leeward Manor,
guests possibly got the chance to meet Bubbles, another Leeward Sister. Daily duties included checking in on the character's wellbeing.
Wednesday
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Enid
Within Leeward Manor were also
Wednesday, Enid, and Tela. Wednesday
and Enid are axolotls and Tela is a tarantula.
Wednesday and Enid would remain in the tank, and Tela would sometimes make an appearance due to the weather.
Daily duties included communicating with the Zookeepers to ensure the wellbeing and to see if needed any adjusts from assistants.
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Coming towards the end of Leeward Manor guests would get the chance to meet Aunt Clara. If the guest chose to, Aunt Clara would tell them which magical creature they are connected to.
Gift Shop and Exit
In addition to the main gift shop for the Indianapolis Zoo, At the end of Leeward Manor was an additional gift shop for guests to enjoy. Daily duties working with other departments to ensure the wellbeing of the shop. In addition would also include keeping an eye on the exit and ensure guests are not going behind the scenes.
Mirror Maze
Next to the cottage, is the Mirror Maze. Daily duties included opening and closing of the maze as well as a walk through throughout the morning, evening, and ending of the event to ensure cleanliness and that lights were working properly. In addition to guiding volunteers to help around the entrance of the Cottage, they would also help assist in the entrance of the Mirror Maze. When their breaks and shifts were over, me along with the other public event assistants would help maintain the entrance of the line as well.
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DJ Booth
On the side and near the center of Pumpkin Town was the DJ Booth. The DJ Booth provided
Halloween music for guests to enjoy. Daily duties included checking in on DJ's wellbeing and remaining in constant communication if situations occurred or if something needed to be announced.
Professor Pumpkin
Seen in the center of Pumpkin Town was Professor Pumpkin with MP the Owl. Alongside, if not in the manor would also be Terra, the oldest Leeward sister. Guests loved to get a picture with them and dance near the DJ Booth afterward.
Myotis
Someone also seen in the center of Pumpkin Town was Myotis. Guests got the opportunity to see his many magical tricks. Also seen within the center of Pumpkin Town were tall bats and scarecrows.
Witchy Wares
In addition to the Indianapolis Zoo Main Gift Shop was Witchy Wares another gift shop for ZooBoo.
Daily duties opening and closing doors for other departments
as well being in commmunication if needed any assistance.
Located within the Turett or side tower of Witchy Wares were two black cats named Casper and Frankie. Casper was seen with a blue collar and Frankie was seen with a green. Casper and Frankie were also up for adoption.
Daily duties included opening and closing the Turett door as well placing lights within the Turett at the start of the event so guest could see the cats at night. Duties also included ensuring the decorations were in place and reassuring the adoption process to guests that were interested in adopting the kittens. As well as staying in communication with the zookeepers that helped to take care of the kittens wellbeing throughout the event season until time of adoption.
Cat Turett
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Forests
Safari Scarecrow Guide
If not seen in Pumpkin Town, The Safari Guide Scarecrows would most likely be seen in front of the entrance to forests. Guests were delighted to take many photos of the characters. Daily duties included checking in on their well-being and setting up included ensuring that props were intact.
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Signage
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Pony enclosure
Daily duties included working with other departments and
helping to direct various helpers to the pony enclosure.
Pirate's Bayou
Daily duties included working with other departments and volunteers to help monitor the activities around Pirate Bayou.
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Cannonball Toss
Cannonball Toss was a favorite among guests in which one
would throw a beanbag into a hole and win the game. Daily duties included checking in on volunteers stationed there
and during their breaks would help assist to monitor the game.
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Tic-Tac Toe
Tic-Tac Toe was another favorite among guests in which one
would place three similar objects in a row to win the game.
Daily duties included checking in on volunteers stationed there and during breaks would help assist to monitor the game.
Captain Cornelius Crocodylus and First Mate Egg Tooth
Walking in the center of Pirate's Bayou guests would get the chance to meet Captain Crocodylus and First Mate Egg Tooth. Guests would get the chance to take a picture and occasionally see a smoke cannonball fired out of a cannon. Daily duties included checking in on characters well being and ensuring guests were respecting displays.
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Cannonball
Trick-or-treat trail
In the essence of Halloween, Zooboo also had a Trick-or-Treat Trail. The Trick-or-Treat Trail consisted
of 8 tables held on the trail of Plains within the Zoo. Guests would enjoy the trail with treats and along
the way while seeing the sights of the animals. Daily duties included working with other departments
and volunteers to help monitor the activities around the Trick-or-Treat Trail. It also included filling
each station's (bucket) or cauldron with candy. In addition to walking around additional candy
boxes for tables that were running low. As a public event assistant, I also ensured the well-being
of the volunteers, workers, and other departments and was there if needed assistance.
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The treats filled and provided were:
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Laffy Taffy
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Kit Kat
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Warheads & Zats
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Frooties and Tootsie Rolls
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Nerds and Mini Hersheys
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Mini Starbursts and Airheads
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Sour punches and Smarties
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Airheads
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Train
Many guests rode the Indianapolis Zoo Train. As a public event assistant setting up included hanging spiders along the side of the fence as well as ensuring that props were in place before the event season of Zooboo began.
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Weather conditions
Throughout my time during Christmas at the Zoo and ZooBoo, we learned to rearrange during different weather conditions during the day of extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and late hours of the night. Regardless we were with a staff that was well equipment for any instant condition and accomadtion for guests.
