The Harrison County Parks and Recreation will once again host the “Walking with Dinosaurs” exhibit from now through March 25^th.  The event is free of charge and open to the public on Wednesdays through Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to six and Sundays from 2-6 p.m.

 

“We had over 10,000 spectators visit the exhibit last year and we are looking to increasing that number by 50% through advertising and media outlets,” related Doug Comer, Deputy Director. “The theme for this year will be the Ice Age and primarily all focus will be related to fossils from that period.”

 

The event, which will have six full-skeleton fossils, including a 13-foot Woolly Mammoth, touches on a section directed to Prehistoric West Virginia that will display fossils found in the Mountain State.  President Thomas Jefferson took an interest in West Virginia fossil records and in 1796 found a claw from a Megalonyx, or commonly known as a Giant Sloth.  He later named it the state fossil. The sloth, as well as a Saber-toothed Cat and Dimetrodon will showcase the section of the exhibit.

 

“It’s wonderful to see how rich in history our state has in relation to dinosaurs.  Plasters of Dimetrodon prints have been found in Ritchie County, while Woolly Mammoth fossils have been unearthed in the Kanawha Valley,” said Comer.  “There is a wealth of information about West Virginia fossils for the guests to view and read about.”

 

During the day, schools from the area visit for private tours of the facility with staff offering information related to their respective exhibit they are discussing.  Comer emphasizes that the enrichment program is the backbone of the exhibit as he explains.

 

“The Parks and Recreation’s sole purpose is to educate the children in the area during field day events. And, to have the opportunity allowing hands-on activities that include museum quality fossils and full-sized skeletons makes this whole program worthwhile. And because this type of exhibit has never been to Harrison County, we wanted to share it with everyone in the area through our family nights and weekends.”

 

For more information about the exhibit or to book a private tour with your group or club (minimum 25 people), contact the HCPR at (304) 423-7800.