'A feeling of awe': Jurassic Quest puts you face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs
Life-sized giants from over 65 million years ago were on display this weekend at Prairieland Park, entertaining families with interactive exhibits, play areas and animatronic dinosaurs.
Dino trainer Carolyn Barker says the event also aims to educate kids while they’re having fun.
“Kids, and big kids like us, have a feeling of awe when we come face to face with a life-sized dinosaur,” said Barker. “Or when we see big teeth and horns like this Carnotaurus behind me. So at Jurassic Quest, we’re creating an interactive experience where you feel like you’re walking among the dinosaurs.”
Using technology like QR codes where kids can scan their favourite dinosaurs to learn more online, Barker says it helps keep returning families entertained while reaching all audiences.
“I think all ages, there’s something that strikes you about the dinosaurs that makes you reflect a little bit on the earth and our life on earth,” Barker told CTV News. “How we’re changing and evolving, so it’s beautiful to see that.”
With opportunities to see real fossils and prints as well as bouncy castles and rides, kids had plenty of activities to pick favourites.
“Playing on the bouncy house,” said Kase, a young visitor who also got to pet baby dinosaurs. “Triceratops and Brontosaurus.”
While others liked seeing the giant footprints left behind by ancient beasts.
“Oh yes, the footprint fossil, a T-Rex,” said Linkyn, who added which dinosaur is his favourite. “The Spinosaurus is my favourite one of all.”
Meanwhile, Barker, a teacher by trade, is excited to visit Regina in a few weeks to wrap up the Canadian leg of the tour. She’s eager to see the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil in the world, discovered in 1991 near Eastend.
“You guys are lucky here to live in a place that has dinosaur fossils,” she said. “I heard yesterday that a T-Rex was discovered in Saskatchewan, and I’m excited to go visit the T-Rex in Regina.”
Jurassic Quest will make stops in Winnipeg and Regina over the next two weekends.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.