Dinosaur Tracks Discovery Anniversary Celebration on Tap for August

ROCKY HILL, CT — 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.

Visit facebook.com/DinosaurStatePark,Friends to learn more about the giveaway items and dates.

Highlights of Indoor Activities

Indoors, visitors will be able to see 600 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints and related exhibits, films, the Discovery Room and a gift shop.

MUSEUM ADMISSION IS FREE FOR THIS EVENT BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

(Admission for days other than August 20-21: $6 for visitors ages 13 and older, $2 for children ages 6-12 and ages 5 and under are free)

PARK HOURS

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

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

The park grounds open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday. The nature trails close at4:00 p.m.