Jurassic Park dinosaurs are here!
And so does a full slate of fall festival activities starting Friday at the Kukui Grove Center.
The ultimate family dinosaur adventure, Jurassic Empire, opens Fridays from 5-9pm at the KGC, and will have Saturday openings from 10am-9pm and a final Sunday from 10am-8pm before moving to another Jurassic location.
A variety of family activities complement the prehistoric journey spanning the Jurassic through the Ice Ages, when dinosaurs and other mammals ruled the planet more than 150 million years ago.
The main Jurassic Empire exhibit features over 50 ultra-realistic life-size dinosaurs in their natural habitat. Other exhibits featured include hands-on interaction with dinosaurs, riding a baby dinosaur, and riding a 12-foot animatronic t rex and triceratops.
Tracey, a friendly t rex, greets guests every three hours, and there’s also a fossil dig where young paleontologists can unearth ancient bones, experience 9D virtual reality rides and a bounce zone on the Jurassic themed with inflatable dinosaur bounce houses, and more for an admission fee.
“We also need to offer exciting activities that don’t have an admission fee,” said KGC’s Melissa McFerrin-Warrack. “We have a bunch of free activities for everyone, starting with Freaky Fridays presented by Aloha Dance Studios.”
Bizarre Fridays takes place October 14, 21 and 28 between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. with special flash mob performances punctuating a variety of Halloween games, activities and sweepstakes.
“This is the first in-person gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tiffany Dick of Aloha Dance Studios. “Ghouls and monsters have been locked away too long. They are eager to leave. »
Hot on the heels of Freaky Fridays, Spooktacular Saturday and More – because Monday isn’t Saturday, a Howl-oween Doggie costume contest kicks off the Halloween calendar Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. with the Dog Fanciers Club of Kaua’ i. Registration opens at 1:30 p.m., followed by a costumed dog parade led by Pluto of Showtime characters through the mall.
Other spooky events include Halloween Movie Night with “Hocus Pocus” on October 22nd and Monday’s Pau Hana Market Pumpkin Giveaway for keiki that begins at 3 p.m. on October 24 while supplies last.
w Info: kukuigrovecenter.com
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Denis Fujimotowriter and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or [email protected]