I was recently at the Fargodome with my children for the Shrine Circus and noticed advertisements for Walking with Dinosaurs. I had never heard of this event, so I went on-line to find out more information for myself and to pass on to you. This event is a “live” production of fifteen roaring dinosaurs that ties  history, technology, art, and music into an action-packed adventure for the family, so large that only stadium arenas can host it. The dinosaurs are life size which adds to the excitement of this show. The fifteen dinosaurs represent ten different species that span the creatures’ entire 200 million year reign. The show includes the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Plateosaurus, Liliensternus, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Torosaurus and Utahrator. It also includes Brachiosaurus, which is 36 feet tall and 56 feet from nose to tail.

The show depicts the dinosaurs’ evolution as the history of the world plays out with the splitting of the earth’s continents, creation of oceans, eruption of volcanoes, and eventually the impact of a massive comet which struck the earth and forced the dinosaur population to become extinct.

According to Variety magazine, “The dinosaurs are stunning, life-size and faultlessly nimble. In act one, the beasts parade into the arena gnashing and cavorting as a safari-suited paleontologist describes their attributes … in the second half, the action cranks up, culminating in a spectacular clash as a T-Rex mom defends her baby from predators. Sonny Tilders’ triumphant creature design ensures Walking with Dinosaurs is a truly spectacular show. It is everything a dino-phile could want.”

According to another blog, written by someone that attended this event in New York, the show is not as scary as you might think. There is a scene at the beginning of the show that depicts a large dinosaur snatching a newly hatched dinosaur from its egg. That is the extent of the “scariness.” There is plenty of tension, but there isn’t any violence or gore. It sounds like this show would be best for children ages six-twelve, however if your young child likes dinosaurs and understands that carnivores eat animals, it is totally appropriate for them.

If you are planning to go to the show and have some time prior to attending, check out the official Walking with Dinosaurs website. It has a page called Meet the Dinos that will help prepare you and your children for the different species that star in the show.

Show Dates/Times: April 16^th – 7:00 PM, April 17^th – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM, April 18^th – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM

Ticket prices range from $19.50 – $54.50

If you are looking for more information about the Fargo-Moorhead area, check out the Directory of Fargo-Moorhead website.