CT’s Dinosaur History To Be Unearthed At Maritime Aquarium

NORWALK — The Maritime Aquarium’s exciting “Dinosaur Summer” keeps heating up the season with tons of dinosaur fun. The next big event will be one dinosaur fans won’t want to miss.

At 7 pm on Thursday, July 27, author Brendan Hanrahan will take an IMAX Theater audience on a trip into

the past to explore Connecticut’s little known dinosaur heritage. And the Aquarium has combined that with a special screening of the IMAX movie T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous to make the evening even more “dino-mite.”

Mr Hanrahan will use his book Great Day Trips in the Connecticut Valley of the Dinosaurs as a guide to help trace the contributions that local discoveries and local scientists have made to paleontology and related fields both in the past and today. From dinosaur tracks found in central Connecticut to cutting-edge theories on how dinosaurs lived, he will link it all to modern-day issues such as diversity and extinction, as well as the aquarium’s current “Dinosaur Island” exhibit, for an exciting evening dinosaur fans shouldn’t miss.

The IAMX movie will begin immediately after the presentation. T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous follows Ally Hayden, a curious 16-year-old girl whose father is a paleontologist. One night in the museum where her father works, Ally accidentally knocks over a dinosaur egg, sending herself back through time where she encounters famous dinosaur “bone hunters” and illustrators from the early 1900s, as well as several

dinosaurs, including a 15-ton T-Rex.

“Dinosaur Summer” is The Maritime Aquarium’s way of highlighting its dinosaur offerings. “Dinosaur

Island” showcases seven robotic dinosaurs as a way to talk about the topics of extinction and modern-day climate change. And within “Dinosaur Island” is the exciting adventure ride Dino Island II 3-D, which puts riders on a mission to save the island’s last T-Rex before a volcanic eruption strikes.

All three Aquarium dinosaur experiences are at the aquarium only through Labor Day. On September 5 the exhibit, adventure ride, IMAX movie and “Dinosaur Summer” events will all be extinct.

Tickets for the July 27 evening at The Maritime Aquarium featuring author Brendan Hanrahan¹s look at Connecticut’s dinosaur history and the screening of T-Rex are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens, and $6 for ages 2 to­ 12. Call The Maritime Aquarium at 203-852-0700, extension 2206 for reservations.