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Date: 9/5/2023
GRANBY — Dino Fest 2023 will mark the ninth year of the Granby wide event and residents are once again being welcomed to join in on the family fun.
Festival Coordinator Dennis Doucette calls Dino Fest, “God’s gift to Granby” and added the event is a “blessing” for the community.
“It makes me feel really good because the community knows what it is, and they know it’s a place they can go enjoy themselves, a safe place for kids to go and have a good time,” Doucette said.
According to information on the Granby Historical Society Facebook page, one of the largest dinosaur tracks ever discovered was found in Granby, establishing the significance and relevance between the prehistoric creatures and the town.
This year’s festival will be on Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will once again be located on the common near 235 State St. The event is open to the public and free except for art crafters and food vendors.
The one-day celebration embraces the town’s heritage and talent. Doucette said the Dino Fest motto is “hugs and smiles,” and the event is designed to feel like one big family reunion for the community of Granby.
Kicking off at 11 a.m. will be a Dino Dash event where attendees are encouraged to build and create their own dinosaur costumes out of cardboard and duct tape and wear the costume in a race to see who is the fastest dino. The races will be broken up into three age groups of 16 and older, 15 and under and people’s choice. The people’s choice portion will essentially serve as a costume contest as the other two will welcome more of an actual racing event.
“No mechanical moving parts, no wheels, no gears, none of that stuff, you actually physically have to run,” Doucette said. “Get some cardboard, some duct tape, do your magic and make the best looking costume you can.”
Boy and Girl Scouts will be on scene for the event as well. Doucette noted the Boy Scouts will create a “monkey bridge” out of rope where people can attempt to climb across it without falling.
Following the Dino Dash will be another edition of the Dino Dance, also right on the common and a sound stage with performers will be set up for a dino dance party and performances throughout the afternoon. Doucette told Reminder Publishing donations will be accepted to enter the race and the money raised directly from the race will go to local food banks.
Donations will go through The Church of Christ Congregational for community programs, services and continuation of their “blessing bags.” Doucette explained these bags are given out to the homeless in the community and contain basic needs for general hygiene that include socks, toothpaste, a toothbrush, some food and water. Other funds raised can go toward helping families in different circumstances who are in need of assistance.
“It’s to let them know they’re loved,” Doucette said. “This is a God’s calling thing for me, this is what that little voice [in my head] tells me what to do. It’s my calling and it’s what I’ve learned from the studies I’ve done at my church. I’m a deacon, that’s what we do. Giving back to the community is who we are.”
Doucette added one of the church’s mottos is, “no matter where you are in your life’s journey, you are welcomed here,” and said this perspective also motivates his work.
Also joining the festival will be Dino Fest mascot Zippy the Dino, who will be dancing and hanging out with festival goers. There will also be an apple pie eating contest, antique and vintage cars on scene, a handful of other family-friendly activities, and many crafts and vendors available.
Town officials and other community groups will also be on scene for Dino Fest.
Doucette said he works to help put on Dino Fest out of his love for the community and seeing people come out and enjoy the day outdoors. He hopes for another fun year celebrating in Granby and hopes next year to attempt to set a Guinness World Record for largest Dino Dance party, as well as to continue tradition of Dino Fest for years to come.