For Immediate Release Media contacts: The Field Museum Pat Kremer 312/665-7100 Dig into Dinosaur Discovery Days at The Field Museum CHICAGO-- The Field Museum invites families to experience Dinosaur Discovery Days, from Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Museum’s Stanley Field Hall. This is an incredible opportunity to see theatrical performances, meet giant dinosaur puppets, handle real fossils and talk to actual paleontologists—all free with Museum admission. The Fossil Road Show (inspired by the Antiques Road Show) rolls into town Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can bring in their own rock and fossil discoveries and a Field Museum geologist will be on hand to help identify them. During all three Dinosaur Discovery Days, families can interact with colossal dinosaur puppets as they roam the halls. Hands-on activities include dinosaur rubbings, dinosaur mask making and chalk sidewalk silhouettes. Families can also assemble a six-foot-long 3-D foam Triceratops skeleton; map dinosaur hot spots in Asia; or compare dinosaur footprints, sizes and eating habits. Guests can meet a real paleontologist who will be on hand to show and discuss fossils from The Field Museum’s vast collections. Families can participate in a theatrical performance, “Treks with T. rex” by the Foundation Theatre Group of Chicago. In the play, visitors can watch “Tex the T. rex”, his paleontologist guide “Dr. Jonas” and other dino friends at 1 p.m., July 8-10, as they discover the world of the famed Tyrannosaurus rex. Families also will catch a glimpse of two new dinosaur additions to the Museum. One a 16-foot-tall and 60-foot-long Mamenchisaurus, and the other, also a Mamenchisaurus, standing 26 feet tall—are unique to China and offer visitors an opportunity to explore their similarities, and differences, with the North American creatures they have come to know. The two dinosaurs will stand with Sue in the Museum’s main hall. These dinosaurs offer a preview of the Museum’s new exhibition Dinosaur Dynasty: Discoveries from China (May 27 to April 23, 2006). Dinosaur Dynasty features a host of authentic, life-sized fossils and casts of creatures that ruled China 165 millions years ago, including 24 mounted dinosaur skeletons. The exhibition demonstrates how an ever-changing Earth produced such a remarkable diversity of dinosaurs over time. Dinosaur Dynasty is a rare opportunity to see some of the truly unique creatures to come from one of the world’s hottest spots from dinosaur discovery and research. Dinosaur Dynasty was produced by DinoDon, Inc., in cooperation with Beringia Ltd. and the Inner Mongolian Museum. Kids won’t just be able to look at the dinosaurs; they will be able to dig them up too! Kids of all ages are invited to come out to the Museum’s Sue Discovery Dig (May 27-September 5) where a dinosaur team will guide them in uncovering a 42-foot long replica of the famous T. rex Sue. They will also get a hands-on lesson in preparing and identifying fossils. Families can also stop by the Harris Educational Loan Center table and view dinosaur and fossil related materials as well as hands-on activities. The items are being offered on loan to families, educators, and scout troops. Harris Educational Loan Center provides portable exhibit cases, created by The Field Museum’s educators and scientists in addition to educators’ guides, books, videos and a variety of hands-on materials. Harris Educational Loan Center membership is $50 annually and $30 for home-schooling families. A Harris Educational Loan Center membership allows families to check out endless items throughout the year. Activities are free with basic admission. Basic admission to the Museum is $12 for adults, $7 for children (4-11), seniors over 65 and students (12-17) with ID. Discounts available for Chicago residents. There is an additional fee for both Dinosaur Dynasty and the Sue Discovery Dig. The Field Museum is located at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Indoor parking is available at Soldier Field, steps from the Museum’s south entrance. Early bird rates for parking apply before 9:30 a.m. For further information, call (312) 922-9410 or visit www.fieldmuseum.org. To order advance tickets to the Museum, call (312) 866-FIELD-03. Sponsored by Chicago Parent.