John Chapo takes his job as the Boo at the Zoo wizard very seriously. After all, he's got a legacy to protect. He's been the man in the black cape and gray beard for 23 years now.

The president of the zoo estimates that he's greeted more than a quarter of a million ghouls and goblins since he started his wizardry in 1986. Approximately 15,000 visitors will visit the zoo this week and Chapo enjoys meeting each one of them, "I take on a magical feeling because I want to engage the kids. It's all about one on one with the kids and welcoming them and making sure they go it's a great time to come on in and go trick or treating."

Chapo gets a kick out of portraying his alter ego every year at this time, "It's great fun. It is absolutely wonderful fun to see the kids come and welcome them and all that energy."

Chapo encourages kids to come out and join in the fun again Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. The wizard's magic dust will be flowing from 5:30pm to 8pm.