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Grand Prairie library and Epic Central outline expanded DinoFest, spring programming
Summary
Library and Epic Central staff presented details for DinoFest beginning March 15 and a Dino Dash relay on March 22; organizers said hotel occupancy is high, Epic Waters tickets are nearly sold out, and new projection shows will launch during the spring break period.
Peter Syme, director of the Grand Prairie Public Library, and Epic Central staff presented plans for the city’s spring break programming, including an expanded DinoFest starting March 15 and a Dino Dash relay event on March 22.
Syme said DinoFest will feature six animatronic dinosaurs, including a full-size T. rex about 40 feet long and 16 feet tall, story times, a fossil dig, inflatable dinosaur slides, and a dino trail that spreads activities around the water to reduce crowding. He described the event as a collaborative effort among the library, Parks and Recreation and Epic Central.
Chris Genette, general manager of Epic Central, and Nadia Hammond, Epic fitness coordinator and founder of the Dino Dash relay, outlined the race and related entertainment. Hammond said the relay teams wear inflatable dinosaur costumes and that the event has grown organically (attendance: about 75 the first year, roughly 100 the second). This year the relay will be paired with an official 5K and use chip timing; organizers expected to cap relay/5K participation at about 200 entrants.
Organizers also highlighted evening programming and new projection shows. Genette said Epic Central is scheduling nightly music and that the venue is hosting four new projection shows that will launch to the public on a Saturday during spring break. Staff reported that hotel occupancy for spring break was over 90 percent for multiple weeks, Epic Waters ticket sales were “almost sold out,” and peripheral attractions (restaurants, Andretti’s, Bass Pro) are expected to benefit from the increased visitor traffic.
Event logistics specified that DinoFest is scheduled from about noon to 4 p.m., with other evening concerts beginning around 6–7 p.m. and water projection shows starting at about 8:30 p.m. Syme said the animatronic dinosaurs will be on site March 10 through March 23 to help draw visitors during the period.
Council members and staff commended the partnership and the programming’s potential to attract non-resident visitors and support local businesses. No formal actions or funding decisions were recorded at the meeting; staff presented the event schedule and capacity planning for council awareness.
