Paleopalooza Returns

By Carolyn Belardo

Mix three noted paleontologists, two dinosaur artists, dozens of rare fossils, a few flapping birds, and a dinosaur coloring book for adults and what do you get?

You get a recipe for an amazing Paleopalooza festival at the Academy on Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6.

This year the annual festival mixes accessible science with a real-time art happening and hands-on activities for a fun family event running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

There will be dinosaur and other fossil displays from the Academy’s world-renowned collection and from the Delaware Valley Paleontological Society. Visitors can meet Academy paleontologist Ted Daeschler, who co-discovered the Arctic “fishapod” Tiktaalik roseae.

British paleontologist Phil Manning, with the National Geographic Dinosaur Mummy Project, and New Jersey State Museum paleontologist Jason Schein, will give family-friendly presentations about dinosaurs and their relatives.

Michigan street artist David Zinn will bring Hadrosaurus foulkii to life in in chalk and charcoal while visitors watch.

Touching fossils from creatures that lived millions of years ago.
Touching fossils from creatures that lived millions of years ago.

Academy paleo-artist and Dinosaur Hall Manager Jason Poole will sign copies and illustrations from his new A Dynasty of Dinosaurs coloring book for adults, which he co-created with Schein.

Drexel University students will use 3-D computer techniques and printing to view the dinosaur Dreadnoughtus schrani in virtual reality. And there’s more. Check out the activities below and visit ansp.org.

-Rad Reptiles: Dandy Dinos and Bodacious Birds show, 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

-Dinosaur Wars show with paleontologist Phil Manning, 1 p.m.

-Dinosaurs of the Bighorn Basin Dinosaur Projects show with paleontologist Jason Schein, 2:30 pm.

-Take a guided tour of Dinosaur Hall, 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

-Search for real fossils to take home.

-See a newly unearthed duck-billed dinosaur being prepared for study.

-Make a paleo-craft to take home.

Digging for fossils is a family affair at Paleopalooza. Photo by Will Klein.
Digging for fossils is a family affair at Paleopalooza. Photo by Will Klein.

To purchase admission tickets online, visit ansp.org.

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