Museum of the Rockies to host third annual Dinosaurs and MOR! festival

BOZEMAN – The Museum of the Rockies will host the third annual “Dinosaurs and MOR!” festival April 12-14, bringing together top paleontologists, dinosaur enthusiasts and a lineup of activities for all ages.

Events include family-friendly programs, junior paleontologist passport stations and 18 presentations by scientists from around the globe. For more information and to purchase tickets to any of these events, visit museumoftherockies.org/dinos.

“Dinosaurs and MOR!” festivities begin with an appreciation night for museum members on Friday, April 12, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Members can attend paleontology-themed passport activity stations, book signings by paleontologists Stephen and Anne Brusatte, John Horner and Ted Rechlin, and the premiere of the new planetarium show, "Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival." The night culminates with a presentation by Michael Serio and the unveiling of a new, 3D-printed troodon skeleton, followed by a Q&A session.

The dinner and keynote address by Stephen Brusatte will occur Saturday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Inspiration Hall, located in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson Hall. Dinner tickets are $60 for members and $75 for non-members, and space is limited. All other events during “Dinos and MOR!” will occur at Museum of the Rockies.

The All-Access Paleo Lecture Package will occur on Saturday and Sunday, April 13–14, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For a complete list of speakers at the event, visit museumoftherockies.org/dinos.

Family Weekend will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 13–14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will include paleo-passport activity stations, planetarium shows, and opportunities to meet world-class paleontologists. Participants can get their passport stamped at all stations and receive a Junior Paleontologist Certificate signed by MOR's curator of paleontology John Scannella. Book signings will occur at various times by the Brusattes, Horner and Rechlin. This event is included with membership or regular museum admission.

Various workshops and classes will occur over the festival weekend:

* Babies, toddlers and their parents or guardians are invited to “Happy Hatchling Dino Party” with Kalli Decker, Abby Sparks and children’s book author Anne Brusatte, featuring a reading of her book, "Dugie the Dinosaur: Scotland’s Sauropod" on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration is required, and the workshop is limited to 25 children. The event is free for a member child plus one member adult and is $10 for a non-member child in addition to regular museum admission.

* “Prehistoric Preschooler Play date” on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, from 11 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. Joined by children’s book author Anne Brusatte, the play date features a reading of her book, "Dugie the Dinosaur: Scotland’s Sauropod." Attendees can dig for dinosaur fossils like a paleontologist, play dinosaur games and create take-home art. The workshop is limited to 25 children. This event is free for a member child plus one member adult and $10 for a non-member child in addition to regular admission.

* "Drawing Megalodon with Ted Rechlin" will occur on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. Registration is required, and the cost is $25 per member and $35 per non-member, plus museum admission. Learn from paleoartist Ted Rechlin as he guides you in drawing the mighty otodus megalodon. Rechlin, the author and illustrator of award-winning graphic novels like "Sharks: A 400 Million-Year Journey," will provide all the necessary supplies. Limited to 25 people.

* “Dinosaur Puppet Workshop” with Keegan Kuhn of TRX Dinosaurs will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required, and the fee is $50 per member and $65 per non-member plus museum admission. Under Kuhn’s guidance, participants can create their own scientifically accurate Triceratops head puppet using special materials. Learn about the process and take home your unique creation. All materials are included in the workshop fee. Space is limited to 25 people.