Dinosaur Depot celebrates National Fossil Day with free admission

Visiting the fossils at the Dinosaur Depot Museum in Cañon City doesn’t get old.

And on Saturday, October 8, admission to the museum is free.

The event, sponsored by the museum and the Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office, is a celebration of National Fossil Day and includes free activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children and virtual tours through historic dinosaur quarries. Visitors will have a chance to see some “Dinosaur Magic” and talk with geology experts.

BLM geologist Melissa Smeins said it is the second year the Department of Interior has designated a National Fossil Day, but the first time the BLM and Dinosaur Depot Museum partnered for the day of free activities. She just wants kids to know “science is fun.”

The museum, 330 Royal Gorge Blvd. in Cañon City, also will showcase virtual quarry tours that were completed in collaboration with the BLM and its new website.

The Dinosaur Depot features exhibits that explore the rich fossil heritage of the Cañon City area. Initially the focus was on the Garden Park Fossil Area, 12 miles north of Cañon City on the historic Shelf Road to Cripple Creek. The Garden Park Fossil Area has produced world-class, late Jurassic dinosaur fossils for over 125 years. While the area is known worldwide for its dinosaur fossils, other types of fossils have been located that help our understanding of the Jurassic environment. More recently, dinosaur fossils have been found in other areas around Cañon City.

For a complete list of events at the museum, go to www.dinosaurdepot.com/national_fossil_day_2011.htm

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