The Glendale Star
20
August 26, 2021
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Jurassic Quest Drive Thru blends education, science BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
hourlong trip with little-known dino facts. Visitors can opt for the original audio tour in English and Spanish or one of two new audio adventures: join Safari Sarah’s highlights tour with the rest of the crew serving up a surprise at the end, or go along for a goofy ride with Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty as they track a baby dino. More than 2.5 million people have attended the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru since the national tour launched in June with stops in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Atlanta, Orlando and Houston.
Glendale Star Executive Editor
Jurassic Quest is more than a drive-thru entertainment event. It’s educational. “It’s an educational interactive tour,” said Nick Schaefer, Jurassic Quest’s customer service specialist/education. “We have more than 70 photorealistic dinosaurs.” At Gila River Arena’s parking lot from Friday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Sept. 5, Jurassic Quest also features trainer meet and greets, photo opportunities and audio adventure tours. Founded in 2013 as a small, family-run business, Jurassic Quest collaborated with paleontologists for the dinosaurs to make sure every detail was accurate, from coloration to teeth size and textured skin. Schaefer runs the fossil and educational side of the show. “We’ve done shows all over the continental United States and Canada,” Schaefer said. “We have lots of great educational opportunities. “Dinosaurs are a gateway science. You can dive into dinosaurs for each part of STEM — things like geology,
Jurassic Quest Drive Thru
Jurassic Quest’s Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty provide the soundtrack for the hourlong trip. (Photos courtesy of Jurassic Quest)
biology and chemistry.” The attraction brings in kids and families of all ages. “I think dinosaurs are something that are universal — almost all groups, cultures and ages,” he said. “All the time,
Jurrassic Quest runs Friday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Sept. 5, in Gila River Arena’s parking lot.
adults marvel at what we have.” Guests can choose their own audio adventure. Jurassic Quest’s Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick (Schaefer) and Park Ranger Marty provide the soundtrack for the
Visitors can choose between three different audio adventures.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, Thursdays and Fridays; 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays Aug. 27 to Sept. 5. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. WHERE: Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale COST: $49 per vehicle; up to eight guests INFO: jurassicquest.com
Dinosaurs are accurately detailed, from coloration to teeth size and textured skin.
