For Marty Hoffman, working as a dinosaur trainer with Jurassic Quest is the ultimate job.
Hoffman first saw the show when he took his own son to see it. It just so happened, Jurassic Quest was planning and hiring for a second show.
Six years later, Hoffman, known as Park Ranger Marty, said the show and exhibit thrills kids and adults alike and teaches everyone something new about dinosaurs.
“It’s really fascinating, I mean all kids love dinosaurs, but it’s kind of nice to go back and touch that moment when you really loved dinosaurs and see it again through your kids’ eyes,” Hoffman said . “There’s a lot of new science about dinosaurs now.”
Jurassic Quest will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds on US 231 South in Dothan August 5-7.
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Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
An exhibit dinosaur in Jurassic Quest is seen up close. The show will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan August 5-7
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
A family stops to look at a megalodon during a Jurassic Quest show.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Dinosaur JoJo from Jurassic Quest is surrounded by a crowd. The show will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan August 5-7.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Baby Trixie the Triceratops from Jurassic Quest. The show featuring animatronic dinosaurs, dinosaur rides, inflatables and a fossil dig will be in Dothan August 5-7.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
A child sits on a stationary dinosaur in a Jurassic Quest show.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Prehistoric Nick, one of Jurassic Quest’s dinosaur trainers, is seen wearing a dinosaur skull.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
A family reacts to a dinosaur during a Jurassic Quest show. The exhibit and exhibit will be in Dothan August 5-7.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Jurassic Quest will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan August 5-7. visit www.jurassicquest.com to book an entry time and buy tickets.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
An exhibit dinosaur in Jurassic Quest is seen up close. The show will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan August 5-7
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
A family stops to look at a megalodon during a Jurassic Quest show.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Dinosaur JoJo from Jurassic Quest is surrounded by a crowd. The show will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan August 5-7.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Baby Trixie the Triceratops from Jurassic Quest. The show featuring animatronic dinosaurs, dinosaur rides, inflatables and a fossil dig will be in Dothan August 5-7.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
A child sits on a stationary dinosaur in a Jurassic Quest show.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Prehistoric Nick, one of Jurassic Quest’s dinosaur trainers, is seen wearing a dinosaur skull.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
A family reacts to a dinosaur during a Jurassic Quest show. The exhibit and exhibit will be in Dothan August 5-7.
Jurassic Quest brings dinosaurs to town
Jurassic Quest will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan August 5-7. visit www.jurassicquest.com to book an entry time and buy tickets.
Jurassic Quest’s animatronic dinosaurs represent the largest predators of playful baby dinosaurs. They are shown in realistic scenes with some moving and roaring. The details are reproduced with the help of leading paleontologists. The show, according to a press release, has attempted to achieve authenticity in details such as coloration, tooth size, skin texture and fur or feathers based on the latest research and understanding of how dinosaurs and ancient sea giants could be seen and moved. .
Since Hoffman joined Jurassic Quest six years ago, the show and exhibit has grown from one show with three semi-trucks to three shows each with about 16 trucks with displays and equipment.
“Jurassic Quest is the largest dinosaur show in North America with the most dinosaurs and marine reptiles of any other show,” said Hoffman. “In fact, our Ancient Oceans exhibit even includes a 50-foot megalodon shark. There’s a lot more to do than look at giant dinosaurs, which is really cool, but there’s also a live performance about every half hour each day for the raptor training show where you really get a chance to learn how to train Utahraptors, which is a lot of fun.”
Tickets are $22 for children and adults and $19 for seniors. Unlimited ride tickets, which include admission, are also available for kids for $36 and give kids unlimited access to dinosaur rides, bouncy bounce houses (socks required) and a fossil dig .
General admission includes live entertainment, arts and crafts activities, dinosaur and marine exhibits. Tickets for other individual activities will be available on site starting at $6. Entry is free for children under 2 years old.
Tickets are sold for timed arrivals and must be reserved online at www.jurassicquest.com to ensure the desired date and time to attend. There is a 100% guarantee that if a show is canceled or postponed for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full amount of the purchase, according to the press release. Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace and strollers are allowed.
Jurassic Quest hours will be Friday, August 5, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, August 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Along with rides, shows and activities, the show also features an authentic dinosaur science area with fossilized T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and a life-size dinosaur skull. Hoffman said there is even a Dino 411 line for people to call with questions about the exhibit and the show.
“We try to make our show as educational as possible,” Hoffman said. “…If you have any questions about anything you see there regarding dinosaurs, you can message me directly and I will answer your dinosaur questions.”
Peggy Ussery is a staff writer for the Dothan Eagle and can be reached at aussery@dothaneagle.com or 334-712-7963. Support his work and that of other Eagle reporters by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com.
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