GRAY – The Maine Wildlife Park’s Halloween Night Hike will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday under the last quarter of the waning moon.

The park will be open to the public until 9 p.m. Friday for the last special night walk of the season. Visitors can view the wildlife at night and get into the spirit of Halloween at a safe and friendly event for people of all ages. There will be special activities and children who wear costumes will receive door prizes.

Radio personality Mark Persky will MC the event, judging costume and pumpkin-carving contests (bring your pre-carved pumpkin with you). Grand prizes will be awarded to those wearing the spookiest costumes and to those with the most artistic pumpkins.

The rain date is Saturday, Oct. 14, same time; call the park voice mail (657-4977) for up-to-date information.

Participants should bring flashlights. The park will provide red cellophane to cover the beams, which will improve the night vision.

Regular park admission fees will be charged for this special night visit. Admission is free for ages 3 and under; $3.25 for ages 4-12; $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $2.50 per person.

The Wildlife Park Nature Store will be open with wildlife and nature merchandise for all ages; and the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park Snack Shack will have ice cream, soda and light snacks on hand, with all money from sales to be donated to the Wildlife Park for wildlife exhibit improvements and new construction.

The Maine Wildlife Park has more than 25 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails and other interactive exhibits and displays.

For more information about any of these programs, call the Maine Wildlife Park at 207-657-4977 x 0; or check online at www.mainewildlifepark.com or www.mefishwildlife.com.