Dover is set to become a dinosaur lover’s paradise on Wednesday 9 August, when Pencester Gardens transforms into a Jurassic Park for one day only. The event, organised by Dover District Council, will feature live shows, walkabouts, and activities with realistic animatronic dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes.
Visitors will have the chance to train a giant Stegosaurus, encounter a friendly Tyrannosaurus rex, and meet some smaller dinosaurs too, all under the supervision of expert dinosaur wranglers. The shows will take place at 11am, 1.15pm and 2.30pm, with a dinosaur walkabout at 12.15pm.
The event is free and open to all ages, so families are encouraged to come along and join the fun from 10am to 3pm. In addition to the shows, there will be plenty of other dinosaur-themed activities to enjoy, such as:
- Making dinosaur footprints and painting a giant 2-D dinosaur with the Dover Smart Project
- Excavating fossils with the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership
- Creating a clay dragon or dinosaur gargoyle inspired by the medieval creatures of Dover’s Maison Dieu and help name a new grotesque.
- Dover Museum in the Market Square will also join in with a family fun day from 10am to 4pm, where visitors can make dinosaur hats and masks and colour in dinosaur posters.
Cllr Charlotte Zosseder, Cabinet Member for community at Dover District Council, said: “Dinosaur Day is going to be ‘roarsome’ and a great day out for the whole family. Bring the kids down to Pencester Gardens which turns into Jurassic Park for one day only!”