When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth
life-size prehistoric reptiles to take over Chippewa Falls fairgrounds
If a considerable part of your childhood involved watching Land Before Time videos on your VCR and referring to leaves as “tree stars” just like Spike and Littlefoot, or even if you’re simply an avid Jurassic Park fan, get ready to experience a trip back in time to a place unlike anywhere you’ve gone before (literally).
This month the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls will bring you an exhibit full of terrifying and mesmerizing creatures that you’ve only encountered in movies and works of fiction. The exhibit features dinosaurs that are so true to life in size and detail that you’ll feel like you hopped into a time machine and stepped right into the Mesozoic Era. We’re talking Velociraptors, Tyrannosaurus Rexes, Kosmoceratopses, and plenty of others that you’ll have the opportunity to interact with. That’s right, not only are they life-sized, but they move around, too!
Texas-based Jurassic Quest, which tours the nation with its animatronic dinos, is setting up camp at the fairgrounds on Aug. 27-28 with tons of cool, interactive opportunities for all ages. Whether your dream has been to channel your inner paleontologist and participate in a fossil dig or you just want to stare, jaw dropped, at the 40 foot-tall Apatosaurus, Jurassic Quest is the place you want to be.
The event will feature more than 80 life-sized adult animatronic dinosaurs as well as adorable life-like baby dino puppets. Baby dinos are brought out for only 30 minutes at a time since they tend to get tired, so catch them while they’re out! Additionally there will be dinosaur bounce activities, crafts, face painting, and plenty more. Take this opportunity to ride one the five adult dinos or watch them tromp around during one of their scheduled walks.
If you prefer to test your extinct species knowledge, then feel free to check out one of the dino science stations to take a quiz on the exhibit and make a fossil keepsake. Kids, families, and dinosaur enthusiasts alike can score their tickets to the largest dinosaur event in North America either at the door or beforehand online to avoid lines and secure a spot in the exhibit. Tickets for the event range from $20-29 for children and seniors, including VIP prices, which give you access to all the activities plus unlimited access to additional attractions. Be sure to stop by and check out this unique two-day event before it goes extinct.
Jurassic Quest XL: Out of Extinction • Saturday, Aug. 27, 9am-8pm; Sunday, Aug. 28, 9am-7pm • Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 225 Edward St., Chippewa Falls • $20-29 • http://www.jurassicquest.com/chippewa-falls.html
