Dinosaur replicas, ranging from a baby triceratops to a life-sized T. rex, are coming to the suburbs this month as part of the nation’s largest traveling dinosaur exhibit.
Jurassic Quest will be making a stop at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on October 7-9 and will be making another appearance at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on October 14-16.
Most dinosaur replicas move, but not all of them move in the same way. Some of the larger species, such as the long-necked brontosaurus, are animatronic, so they make realistic, motor-driven movements. Others, which the exhibit dubs walking dinosaurs, are full-body suits piloted by artists that interact with guests and mimic the movements of species like the velociraptor. Smaller still are hand puppets designed to look like cute children’s dinosaurs.
The exhibit also features interactive rides and attractions, including bounce houses and children’s arts and crafts. There’s an area for kids to unleash their inner archaeologist and dig for dinosaur fossils in sandpits.
For those interested in the mysteries below the surface of the water, there is a feature on the creatures of the ancient oceans. Shown are underwater sea dwellers such as a huge prehistoric sea turtle, the first discovered dolphin ancestors, and a 50-foot-long megalodon shark that went extinct millions of years ago.
Jurassic Quest is based out of Houston and was founded in 2013. There are up to three tours running at once.
The Lake County Fairgrounds is located at 1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake. The show will take place on Friday from 1pm to 8pm, Saturday from 9am to 8pm and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center is located at 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. As of October 14, the show will take place on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets for children and adults are $22, $19 for seniors; and a VIP ticket for children, which includes unlimited rides and activities, is $36. Tickets have the same price in person and online a jurassicquest.com.
