Families are lining up for dinosaurs and kids activities while also raising money for the Indian River Reptile Zoo.
Dinosaurs Live opened Friday and will be at the Barrie Sports Dome, located at 99 Hanmer St. E., all weekend with animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar.
The Indian River Reptile Zoo and Dinosaur Park brought more than 30 life-size dinosaurs to the city for a fundraising event that also features over a dozen bouncy castles, face painting and games.
Kids were flocking to the tyrannosaurus rex, dilophosaurus, triceratops, brachiosaurus and feathered velociraptor to have their picture taken while also trying out the inflatable obstacle courses, slides, bouncy castle, dinosaur maze, and inflatable archery contest where prizes were available for the best shot.
This is a family event and educational, too. Each dinosaur has an information plaque with its details.
The lineup was out the door for Friday’s opening day.
Velma Ryerson, who brought both of her grandkids, told BarrieToday the lineup was well worth the wait.
“The line went fairly quickly, so that’s OK, but the kids have had a great time in here and the dinosaurs are so life-like,” she said.
Event co-ordinator Karen Roy, who's with the inflatable company Moonwalk, told BarrieToday the event has been a huge success.
“This came about as a partnership between Moonwalk and the Indian River Reptile Zoo when we met a little while ago," she said. "I had inflatables and they had dinosaurs, so it seemed like a great partnership."
They did a show in Peterborough in March which saw 10,000 people over four days and realized this was a "hit," Roy said.
Roy hopes they will get about 8,000 people over the weekend in Barrie.
The event will continue on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 per person, with children three years old and under getting in for free.
Tickets available at the door or online at eventbrite.ca.
Proceeds will go to the reptile zoo, conservation and education.
