EASTEND — Looking for an amazing summer road trip? Make sure your plans include a visit to the T.rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, southwest Saskatchewan.
Home of Scotty, the world's largest Tyrannosaurus rex, visitors can get a closeup look in the CN Scotty Gallery, and explore features like the Paleo Lab Experience, marine reptiles, prehistoric mammals and dinosaur fossils.
"The T.rex Discovery Centre is the perfect summer destination for family fun and attracts visitors to our province from around the world," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. "Whether it is seeing Scotty for the first time or taking in the exhibits and programming, the Centre is an exciting attraction that has something for all ages to enjoy."
In the Paleo Lab, visitors can discover new microfossils in the dig stations or create unique ecosystems with the interactive topography table.
Back again this summer is the popular children's passport activity booklet. Find fossils, participate in activities and get stamps in your passport. Collect enough stamps and become a junior paleontologist.
The T.rex Discovery Centre (TRDC) has additional programming and activities in store for summer:
Canada Day
On Canada Day, stop in for free BBQ hotdogs, water, juice, and pop and take part in activities around the centre.
Theme Week Table
Join centre interpreters at their theme week table as they showcase their research that covers various topics, from paleobotany to paleo art. A new theme is introduced weekly.
Tylosaurus exhibit
Discover the Tylosaurus exhibit! Roughly 10 metres in length, the specimen was discovered in the hills around Lake Diefenbaker near Sask Landing Provincial Park.
This species of mosasaur -Tylosaurus - was a large, predatory marine reptile closely related to modern monitor lizards and snakes. They lived 72 million years ago in a large inland sea that covered most of Saskatchewan during the late Cretaceous period.
Dino Days - July 26 to 28
Join in Eastend's Dino Days festivities.
On Saturday, July 27 - the TRDC opens at noon following the town's parade. A dinosaur scavenger hunt takes place from noon until closing time. There will be kids' activity stations.
Celebrate Scotty's Unearthed Day
Scotty, the world's largest Tyrannosaurus rex was discovered on Aug. 16, 1991, by high school principal Robert Gebhardt. The centre will be marking Scotty's birthday with cupcakes and goodie bags from the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum on Friday, August 16.
Explore the Area
Explore the beautiful landscape of the Frenchman River Valley on the hiking trails situated around the discovery centre or uncover a new fossil in the Fossil Dig Sand Pit.
The T.rex Discovery Centre, located at 1 T-rex Dr. in Eastend, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Labour Day. The centre is an hour-and-a-half drive from Swift Current and an hour drive from Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
Visit www.royalsaskmuseum.ca/trex for special events and activities. Admission is by donation.
Follow us on social media @royalsaskmuseum to learn more!
