Penticton dinosaur event has no connection to controversial Kelowna show

A Penticton animatronic dinosaur exhibit titled Jurassic Quest says it has no ties to a controversial Kelowna dinosaur show.

Last year, Jurassic Fest, an opportunity to come “face-to-face with various gigantic moving prehistoric creatures to see their teeth, see them blink, swaying tails and hear their majestic roar” in Kelowna was promoted on Facebook and scheduled for February 2022.

Those dates have since been changed to May 13-15 but no site location has been announced, nor have ticket sales commenced. Organizers didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Now, a similarly titled Jurassic Quest dinosaur event is being planned at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton.

READ MORE: Families invited to prowl with life-like dinosaurs in Penticton

“Jurassic Quest is in no way associated with this organization. We have no direct knowledge of Jurassic Fest’s history or management and cannot find evidence of any successful previous events held in Canada or the United States. There is absolutely no connection between our company and theirs,” said Robert Hardy, CEO of Jurassic Quest Holdings, in an emailed statement.

“We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to families in these markets. Jurassic Quest has worked hard to establish a best-in-class reputation for guest experience, and we look forward to sharing our experience with families across our upcoming eleven city tour of Western Canada this April and May.”

In Montreal last year, Jurassic Fest was sold by its promoter as an outdoor, week-long "mesmerizing, world-class dinosaur exhibition featuring over 20 life-size animatronic, robotic dinosaurs," according to a report by The Canadian Press.

But less than a week after a parent bought the non-refundable tickets, the Australian company promoting the event announced the venue that was to hold the show was pulling out, leaving parents concerned the show was a scam.

According to the event organizer’s website, the Montreal show is now scheduled for July 22-26. Tickets are now on sale but a venue has yet to be announced.

David Huni, the South African promoter of The Dino Expo, the organizer of the Canadian shows, said in a previous interview with iNFOnews the event was postponed due to the pandemic and they have truckloads of dinosaurs that will be in Canada for the next three to four years.

READ MORE: Kelowna to get visit from massive, life-sized dinosaurs as part of festival

Jurassic Fest is also scheduled to hold an event in Surrey at the beginning of April at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. The city, which owns the fairgrounds, said it has signed a contract with organizers and a schedule of events is expected to be announced this week.

Organizers also inquired about using CIty of Kelowna property but have not submitted an application, said communications manager Tom Wilson with the City of Kelowna. No dinosaur event has been scheduled at Prospera Place in either May or June, said Prospera Place director of marketing George Fadel.

- With files from The Canadian Press

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