LuminoCity's Dino Safari returns to Walt Whitman Shops

Walt Whitman Shops are about to turn into Jurassic Park as Dino Safari returns to Huntington Station for its fourth year from Sept. 2 through Oct. 18. The family-friendly event, presented by LuminoCity, brings to life more than 70 animatronic dinosaurs.

“We are the largest immersive dinosaur lights festival in the U.S.,” project manager John Baiata says. “This is a modern-day interpretation of the ancient art of Chinese lantern-making mixed with dinosaurs representing three different eras — Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous. We go back about 250 million years.”

Visitors can venture through 100,000 feet of the junglelike experience filled with realistic looking dinosaurs built to scale.

“They are not cartoonish or animé in any way,” Baiata says. “We even try to replicate what we think the dinosaurs would sound like, whether it’s a roar or a screech.”

All of the dinosaurs have a steel construction that’s lined with LED lights and then covered in silk fabric.

“This allows them to be luminescent,” Baiata says. “There are lighted tunnels that connect sections as well. On one side, you might encounter a carnotaurus, on the other side you might see a velociraptor.”

The exhibit, which is geared toward ages 3-12, is not only entertaining but educational as well.

“Each dinosaur has its own information plate where they could read and learn about the dinosaur types, their history as well as which prehistoric time they existed in,” event manager Safiya Abdulrehman says.

DINO ACTIVITIES

After going through the safari, head over to the amusement activities area and participate in dino-themed attractions.

Take a ride on the Dino Speedway, where kids race small cars shaped like dinosaurs on an inflatable racetrack ($5).

At the Safari Dig, participants get a bag of gemstones that are hidden in the sand. Kids pour the sand in a tray and lower it into water to reveal the gemstones ($15).

“We give them a handout that explains the origin of each gem,” Baiata says. “They are not plastic; they are real stones.”

The Bounce Zone has been enhanced this year with the brand-new Volcano Bounce containing a 75 feet wide by 25 feet tall custom inflatable park in the center ($17).

“It’s unlimited,” Baiata says. “You can stay in as long as you like.”

Among the other activities, are the Caveman Axe Throw, LED seesaws, a Fossil Hunt where kids can dig to find dinosaur fossils and Neon Octo-Beats, which has children grooving on an LED dance floor beside a giant, glowing octopus DJ booth.

SPECIAL EVENTS

On Sept. 4 and Oct. 4, there will be Dino Story Night in collaboration with Huntington Public Library. Sessions will take place at 7 and 7:30 p.m.

A Dino Dance Party is set for Sept. 18 with the help of Timeless Tales Entertainment. The event features stories, dance games, trivia and educational activities.

Deck the Holidays will be on hand Sept. 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 3 with an 18-foot Halloween trailer offering Halloween-themed activities, interactive games and seasonal crafts.

PHOTO OPS AND MORE

Throughout the Dino Safari, kids can take selfies with live action characters such as Park Ranger Lumi and a walking velociraptor. There’s also a location where children can pose inside a cracked dinosaur egg and peek their heads out of the top.

Snacks like funnel cakes, chicken fingers with fries and ice cream are sold at an array of on-site food trucks.

Pick up a souvenir on the way out at the Dino Safari gift shop, which sells dino bubble wands, plushies and piggy banks along with take-home excavation kits that reveal an egg or a fossil.

“Dinosaurs are some of the most inspiring creatures that ever walked the Earth and they are strongly tied to children’s imagination,” Baiata says. “I know we’ve done our jobs when the kids walk through the gates and their eyes light up with wonder. That’s what we try to invigorate.”