The Great Baby Dinosaur Show is officially opening tomorrow at the Newcastle Museum featuring life-size animatronics and a roaring good time for the whole family to enjoy.
The never-before-seen ticketed exhibition will showcase a range of animatronic dinosaurs, including pterosaurs, triceratops and velociraptors, which were all exclusively created for the Newcastle Museum.
Visitors will be asked to vote for the most compelling dinosaurs in an agricultural show type format.
Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the new exhibition would deliver a much-needed dose of family-friendly fun for the summer holidays.
“Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the experience of the Great Baby Dinosaur Show, hearing the life-like dinosaurs roar and watching them move while carefully considering their vote for the ‘Best in Show’,” Cr Duncan said.
“The Museum’s staff have had fun preparing for this exhibition and taking on the role of judges for this giant baby competition, awarding ribbons for everything from the ‘Best Roar’ and ‘Coolest Spikes’ to the ‘Most Colourful Scales’, but now we need your help to decide who will take out the top prize, with the winner to be announced when the show finishes up.”
Cr Duncan said it was the first significant family event they had offered up since COVID-19 and the lockdown.
“We are bringing families back out into events, and it’s so incredibly special,” Cr Duncan said.
“I think for a lot of people, the last two years have been really tough, so families can come into this beautiful baby dino world and have a great time.
“And also, who doesn’t love a baby dinosaur?”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said dinosaur-themed exhibitions were always very popular with the community, especially the younger residents.
“Our museum staff were excited to be involved in curating this show,” Baird said.
“While they’re here, visitors can also check out our other summer exhibition, Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist, which features more than 20 works by the much-loved Newcastle artist.”
Newcastle Museum Curator and Collection Coordinator David Hampton said tickets were available online at the Newcastle Museum website.
“This is like if the Royal Easter Show had dinosaurs in it,” Hampton said.
“People can come in and see a whole range of life-sized baby dinosaurs and vote on their absolute favourite.
“It’s a fascinating exhibit for the community and for us here at the museum as well!”
The Great Baby Dinosaur Show opens to the public on December 11, 2021, and will remain until March 12 2022.
Hayley McMahon