Thanksgiving Point will premier its newest summer event, Dinosaur Island at Ashton Gardens, on Saturday.

Dinosaur Island will feature 25 life-sized dinosaur animatronics which will be placed throughout the 50-acre garden.

In addition to animatronic creatures, Dinosaur Island will feature educational programming on ancient life, child play areas, dinosaur-themed outdoor movies and more.

According to Austin Brown, director of signature experiences at Thanksgiving Point, the idea for an outdoor dinosaur exhibit in Ashton Garden has been considered for years, but didn’t come to fruition until this year due to COVID-19.

“We have always been interested in a large-scale summer event in the Ashton Gardens for several years. The dinosaur exhibit concept started in 2018-2019,” he said. “Last year, we did a summer exhibit that was a success. We knew that doing a dinosaur summer exhibit would fit in nicely with our garden landscape.”

According to Brown, Thanksgiving Point guests are already intrigued by what they have seen of Dinosaur Island during the set-up process.

“I have already seen the excitement that the exhibit is bringing during the setup process. I have seen kids of all ages, even grown-ups, impressed with the dinosaurs thus far,” he said. “With these dinosaurs being life-sized, it really puts into perspective how small we as humans are compared to them. As guests walk through the gardens, they have the sense of adventure to keep finding all the dinosaurs.”

Dinosaur Island will be open to guests at Ashton Gardens beginning Saturday and running through Aug. 27. The park will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dinosaur Island will be a time-ticketed event, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.

“Even though dinosaurs are extinct, they are undefeated in my book,” Brown said. “Dinosaurs are always something that resonates with all audiences. The experience guests will have at Dinosaur Island will be unique in our area. Guests will see dinosaurs come to life with movement and sound.”

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