Dinosaur State Park and the Friends of Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum (FDPA) will celebrate the 49th anniversary of the discovery of dinosaur tracks in Rocky Hill with a family-friendly festival Saturday, Aug. 15. Museum admission will be free, and the FDPA will sponsor a series of special events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some of the highlights are a craft tent, games with prizes, face painting, costumed characters, live musical entertainment, live animal shows, continuous education programs, continuous films, a newly renovated Discovery Room, viewing of dinosaur tracks and food available for sale on park grounds.
Two 45-minute live animal programs will be held in the outdoor amphitheater. At 11 a.m., Massachusetts Birds of Prey will present a show featuring live birds, and at 1 p.m. Rainforest Reptiles will present a live crocodile and alligator program.
The Park’s mining activity will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 4 pm. Visitors can mine for gems and/or fossils in a water-based sluiceway. Participants must purchase a mining bag to participate in this activity.
The Park’s unique tracks casting area also will be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors must bring 10 pounds of plaster of Paris and a ¼ cup of cooking oil to participate. One cast is allowed per family or group.
Special Guests will include the popular Nickelodeon cartoon character, Dora the Explorer, and the Happiness Tour, which will roar through the Dino Trail and be on site from 1 to 3 p.m. for a meet-and-greet and photographs with families.
The McDonalds Happiness Tour will have Ronald McDonald and other staff passing out healthy snacks free of charge to visitors. There also will be games and a photo booth.
Smokey Bear and Dilly the Dilophosaurus will join the cast of characters with several appearances during the special event hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Indoors, visitors will be able to see 600 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints and related exhibits, films, the Discovery Room and a gift shop.
Hours and Fees – MUSEUM ADMISSION IS FREE FOR THIS EVENT.
Park grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. The Nature Trails are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round
For more information, contact Meg Enkler, environmental education coordinator, at 860-529-5816 or Margaret.enkler@ct.gov.
You also may visit www.ct.gov/deep/dinosaurstatepark or www.dinosaurstatepark.org.
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