August 11 , 2016

by Chris Dehnel

Dinosaur State Park and the Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of dinosaur tracks in Rocky Hill with a family-friendly festival on Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21.

Here is an overview:

Admission to the museum will be free and the FDPA will be sponsoring a series of special events from 10-3 p.m. This event is the highlight of the year-long celebration of the discovery of dinosaur tracks.

This family-friendly festival will include a craft tent, games with prizes, costumed characters, face painting, continuous films and educational programs.

The Park’s mining activity will be available from 9:30 am – 4:00 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 will also be open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. 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.

Celebration continues throughout the fall

Senior walks, lectures, a visit from renowned paleontologist Dr. Bob Bakker and a series of geology programs for scouts will take place this fall. The Park’s “first 50” giveaway will continue until the end of the year. One Saturday a month 50 free items will be given away to the first 50 families that pay admission that day.