NYS Fair adds dinosaur experience to 2023 lineup; free with admission

The 2023 New York State Fair will feature a Dinosaur Expedition in the Exposition Center, free with admission all 13 days of the Fair. (Provided photo)

The New York State Fair is adding some jurassic fun to its 2023 lineup.

Dinosaur Expedition, an interactive, educational experience from Immersive Productions, will bring 60 true-to-life-size, prehistoric, life-like dinosaurs to the the NYS Fair’s Exposition Center starting Aug. 23. The exhibit will be free with admission to the Fair all 13 days of this year’s Fair.

According to a press release, Dinosaur Expedition will be an indoor experience featuring creatures as tall as 35 feet and span as long as 80 feet, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, and Stegosaurus. Highlights include a hands-on “Fossil Dig” experience; two dinosaur skeleton structures; photo ops and selfie spots (including inside a dinosaur egg or a dinosaur’s mouth); an animatronic Dinosaur Band leading dinosaur dance parties every other hour; and Story Time, a 10-minute session featuring dinosaur-themed book read out look to kids every hour on the hour.

All can be explored daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and enjoyed at fairgoers’ own leisure. On Thursday, Aug. 24, and Thursday, Aug. 31, the first hour (10-11 a.m.) will be a Sensory Friendly hour with bright lights turned off and sounds brought down.

“With moving heads, necks, tails and wings, mouths that open and close, blinking eyes and sounds that mimic breathing movements, these creations have such stunning, advanced animatronic features that visitors will feel like they are really walking among the dinosaurs,” said Sean Hennessey, Interim Fair Director. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with Immersive Productions to enhance The Fair’s family-friendly options by hosting this stunning exhibit, which is sure to be a place where many memories are made this summer.”

It will be the first time Immersive Productions’ traveling dino exhibit appears at a state fair. In other cities, admission is typically a minimum of $25 per person. Hennessey said it was important for the Fair to bring the family-friendly show at no extra cost to fairgoers.

The 2023 New York State Fair will run from Aug. 23 through Sept. 4. Admission is $6 for adults and free for seniors 65 and older and kids 12 and under.

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