Free Admission to Celebrate Dinosaur State Park's 50th Anniversary

Dinosaur State Park and the Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum are giving you a gift when they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of dinosaur tracks in Rocky Hill. 

They will be holding a family-friendly festival on Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21 and admission to the museum will be free. 

There will also be special events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

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

Schedules: 

Saturday, Aug. 20

  • Special events: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Games with prizes
  • Craft tent, tattoos, face painting
  • Films and education programs
  • 11 a.m. live bird show with CT Audubon
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bending Gravity
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Banjo Music
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Bebe the Clown
  • 1 p.m. Rainforest Reptiles
  • Live animal show 

Sunday, Aug. 21 

  • Special events: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Games with prizes
  • Craft tent, tattoos, face painting
  • Films and education programs
  • 11 a.m. A Place Called Hope
  • Live bird show
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Amazing Andy
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Mariachi Music
  • 1 p.m. Riverside Reptiles live animals.
  • Outdoor Park Activities 

The Park’s mining activity will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Visitors can mine for gems and fossils in a water-based sluiceway. Participants must purchase a mining bag to participate in this activity. 

The park’s tracks casting area will also be open from 9 a.m. 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. 

Admission for days other than Aug. 20 and 21 is $6 for visitors ages 13 and older, $2 for children ages 6 to 12 and ages 5 and under are free. 

The Exhibit Center and park office are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, through Labor Day. 

After Labor Day, the Exhibit Center and park office are open Thursday through Sunday and closed on holidays. 

The park grounds open at 9 a.m. a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. The nature trails close at 4 p.m. 

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