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.
Local
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.