CLEVELAND — An event in northeast Ohio is a blast from the past, inviting guests to step way back in time.
About 25 different types of dinosaurs are on display this weekend at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, including the dilophosaurus, which is expected to get a lot of attention.
“This weekend it will be so warm you’ll see the kids will be lined up out here, just to get sprayed on from the dinosaurs,” said event producer Matt Flynn.
Getting spit on by a prehistoric creature is definitely something that doesn’t happen every day.
Crews are building the giant beings to life-size specifications for the event. They’ll be displayed to create a path through the past called Dino Stroll.
“These are fully animatronic that they’ll move, their heads will move,” Flynn said. “They’ll make noise. We’ll put camouflage around them.”
The 75 dinos on display are designed to help folks feel like they’re living in the past.
“I was in shock,” Dylan Micheal said. “Seeing these things for the first time I didn’t realize how big they were. And I’m from a little hometown or a little town in Louisiana. You don’t come by stuff like this every day.”
The event lets guests get up close and personal with these prehistoric legends.
“So, when you’re standing next to our T-Rex that’s 27 feet tall and 60 feet long, you really can get that feeling of how massive these creatures were,” Flynn said.
In addition to checking out the displays, dozens of dinosaur-themed kid-friendly activities are also available, like bounce houses and dinosaur Power Wheels.
Event organizers expect about 16,000 people to take the trip back in time this weekend. Timed tickets will give some space to explore.
“Doesn’t mean you only have a half-hour to stroll,” Flynn said. “You can stroll and take as much time as you like. But, every half hour we’re letting in a certain amount of people.”
Visitors may want to be prepared for some possible scary situations when the dinosaur costume starts walking around. But don’t worry, the friendly dino just likes to dance.
The event is creating a dream job for some.
“I loved dinosaurs all my life,” Brendan King said.
That fascination appeals to both the young and young at heart.
“What I like about the dinosaur event is it reaches all ages,” Flynn said. “Some kids even know how to pronounce the names better than they know how to say please and thank you at the age of 2.”
Tickets for Dino Stroll are available every half hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Organizers say doors will stay open until 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are available at dinostroll.com.
