'Dinosaur Time Trek' stomps into downtown Little Rock

There's a mighty roar echoing through downtown Little Rock, where prehistoric and mythical creatures have settled in for a little visit.

It's time for "Dinosaur Time Trek" and a collection of dinosaurs -- and dragons -- are already making themselves at home at the Statehouse Convention Center, ready for their public debut on Saturday and Sunday.

Production manager Ashley Drew explains, "It's educational, but then it's also entertainment."

There are not only animatronic dinosaurs such as the Triceratops and the Tyrannosaurus Rex, there's also a list of hands-on activities designed to give kids of all ages a fun time while also teaching a little about paleontology.

There's a Dig Site Simulator where guests can scan bones to learn more about the dinosaurs. In the Fossil Find, budding scientists can dig for bones themselves. Creative types can use touchscreens to make their own giant reptiles.

And then, Drew says, there's the Roar-O-Meter where kids can try their best dino roar: "It's been really popular."

Meanwhile, audiences can meet baby dinosaurs Jack and Rose in a special stage show and can have egg-and-spoon races and play the musical lava game in the Challenge Zone.

And some of the dinosaurs get out and about, meeting everyone -- such as the Allosaurus skeleton puppet that makes the rounds with help from one of the show's scientists.

"That's really a show-stopper," Drew says.

The VStar Entertainment Group's "Dinosaur Time Trek" interactive experience travels all over the country and Little Rock is the very first stop for their new Dragon Edition feature.

"We're really excited about that," Drew says. "Dragons have always had that mythology going along with dinosaurs. We thought it would be really fun to feature our dinosaurs but have this little sub area where our dragons are featured."

The dragon realm will have life-size dragons from Latin America, Asia and Northern Europe, parts of the world where dragon mythology was more common.

The activities will include a green screen where people can film video of themselves meeting dragons and a chance to participate in building castles.

Tickets come in three categories: timed tickets for a certain entry; early admission that grants entry at 9 a.m. before the crowds; and "anytime passes" that let ticket holders come and go as they please.

Throughout the event, guests can learn about the enormous creatures while having a good time.

Drew says they've made an effort to be sure "there's fun things for all ages," adding, "We've really tried to make an event that everyone can participate in. It's not just the kids playing. We encourage the parents to also join in. It's really a family affair, which we're really excited about."

Weekend on 12/14/2017