Just Across the Berlin Border -- Start Planning Your Holiday Vacation at Dinosaur State Park

From the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Although it may be cold outside, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the Friends of Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill will sponsor “The Wild Inside,” a series of indoor programs for families during December’s school vacation week.

The series includes:

Daily from Dec. 26-28, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-4:

• Naturalist programs 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Park staff will present a “Track Talk” or an Animal Demonstration
• Crafts 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Visitors will be able to make a craft to take home (free with admission)
• Films 10:00, 10:30, noon, 1:30, 2:00, 3:00 and 3:30 (film schedule will be adjusted on the 30th to accommodate special live animal program).

Friday, Dec. 26

• Free poster Friday – the first 100 visitors will receive a FREE dinosaur poster with admission.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

• Live Bird Show presented by “A Place Called Hope.” Join us to meet the living descendants of the mighty dinosaurs. The show will feature a number of live hawks and owls. Space is limited to 100 visitors. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at 9:00 a.m. on the day of the show. This 45-minute show is recommended for ages 5 and older.

These special programs are made possible through the sponsorship of the Friends of Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum (FDPA).

Background on Dinosaur State Park

Dinosaur State Park is open all year, has over 500 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints on display along with a series of related exhibits, a 100-seat theater, a Discovery room, a bookstore that features many unique titles, toys and jewelry and 2 ½ miles of hiking trails.

The Discovery Room underwent a complete renovation last March and now includes a Connecticut Rock and Mineral display, an interactive geologic map, dozens of pull & learn drawers with hundreds of fossil, rock and mineral specimens, a skull display, a bird sound station and more.

The park is located 1 mile east of I-91, off Exit 23. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. The 2 ½ mile trail system and bookstore close at 4 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and the park will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. There is a $6 admission fee for ages 13 and up, $2 for youth 6-12 and children 5 and under are free.

For more information contact Meg Enkler at (860) 529-5816.

Contributed photo: arun-tomar.blogspot.com