There will be prehistoric fun at a flower farm in Central Jersey – but it won’t be long until it’s ancient history.
Dino Fest at Arrowhead Farmstead has more than two dozen lifelike dinosaurs hidden throughout the fields, each moving and roaring the way you assume dinos did back in the Jurassic age.
As you walk around, talk to any of the members of Dino Refuge, the company putting on the festival, since they are super knowledgeable about dino facts and will share tidbits not included on the signs in front of each creature. The kids will probably find it cool to learn that each dino has its own name.
The Dinosaur Discovery Den includes sandboxes where you can dig for “fossils” (and tiny toy dinos), a scientist’s laboratory, a cute Jungle Lounge, and of course a gift shop. Here, you can make your own dino stuffed animal (additional fee required); or pick up some honey, lavender or syrup made at Arrowhead’s sister farm, Happy Day Farm.
There are stage shows throughout the day, where you can pet Tina the triceratops, meet baby dinos, see a T-Rex cross the stage, and help train a raptor. The schedule is available via QR code at the entrance ticket booth – which is actually really cool, too, considering it’s inside a horse stable.
Near the stage area are some games borrowed from Happy Day Farms’s Fall Festival – including giant chess, a bubble maker and pumpkin chaser.
There’s a 4-acre dino-themed corn maze, if you dare – with no signs or map, you’ll be wandering through trying to find the escape before you get eaten by a dino (just kidding)! Make sure you’re wearing sneakers and have water if you’re trying this out during the heat of the day.
The festival only takes place for 3 weeks to coincide with the blooming of the flower fields, which include an acre of cosmos, 15 acres of sunflowers and 5 acres of zinnias.
There are endless photo ops since the fields are gorgeous in full bloom. Our favorite is a giant T-Rex standing behind a Jeep, so that if you sit the right way it looks like you’re being chased. Convince your kids to give their best terrified look for an awesome pic.
Plus, food trucks and lemonade stands will be on site during the festival. Some booths accept cash only, but there are ATMs on site. There are covered picnic areas that offer a place to sit and eat, and some shade.
Dino Fest takes place through August 11, on Thursdays through Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm, rain or shine. Arrowhead Farmstead is located at 135 Iron Ore Rd., Manalapan.
Tickets are $27.50 including tax and are on sale now; everyone over age 2 needs a ticket. The last entrance is one hour prior to closing.
Check out the fun on our Instagram page.
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