Gorillas, giraffes and sloths — oh my!

Quick, what do zebras, cows and Steve Irwin costumes have in common?

Why, they were all part of Zoo Night at last Friday’s Grafton High School football game.

It was spectacular for animal and football lovers, and that’s me.

I instantly flagged down Athletic Director Kevin Moore to learn the source of such a brilliant idea. It was the Fan Clan, he said, a group of students who formulate plans for theme nights.

Bravo, Fan Clan. Bravo.

Yes, some of the costumes brought back  eye-searing memories of Zubaz and some looked more like pajamas for toddlers — although they fit teens just fine — but that is not the point.

Did you see the gorilla? Jacob Timm could acquire the most candy going door-to-door in late October.

The fans have returned to the stands — Grafton regularly has a spirited bunch — and they’re getting creative.

I’ve seen neon nights, hunter’s attire, black out and white out — used gallons of that eons ago when I learned to type. Cedar Grove-Belgium High School had a neat sports jersey night a couple of weeks ago. It wasn’t all Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks, either.

Student fans are taking it to a new level this year, whether it’s because they missed out on last year or they’re just getting cleverer. It doesn’t matter. Enjoy it. Every second.

I was told Port Washington’s football game at Berlin didn’t come with an animal sighting this week, after a deer and bat appeared in consecutive weeks prior, so I was in need of an animal fix.

I did see a large flying beast that could be a distant cousin of Mothra buzz around and land near the south end zone in Grafton, but I’m not counting that.

Enthusiastic, photogenic students in animal costumes? That will suffice.

Keep the spirit and originality coming. I can’t wait to see what our students come up with next.