Haunt the Zoo keeps Oklahoma City organizers on their toes

This year, 35,000 people are expected to visit the Oklahoma City Zoo during Haunt the Zoo's six-day run beginning Friday. When they arrive they'll find 1,000 pumpkins and 21 themed booths powered by a mile and a half of extension cords.

This year there will be some old favorites — including a 30-foot dragon with smoke that billows from its nostrils — and some new twists that are kept secret until the gates open. Planning began months ago.

“It's been going on since July and August,” graphics designer Megan Watham said. “We start by going through what went well the year before and what didn't go so well.”

Watham said it's during that time the decision is made to throw out or recycle old props.

“Some are damaged beyond repair and it's time to retire them,” she said. “We had some that weighed over 200 pounds and we're working on retiring those.”