T-Rex Planet brings dinosaurs to life at the Revolution Ice Center

JENKINS TWP. — Dinosaurs came to life Saturday, meeting and mingling with families at the Revolution Ice Center in Jenkins Township.

Prehistoric creatures filled the center, so visitors from near and far could learn, listen and even take a ride on them.

The Krumich brothers — Kenton, 8, and Mason, 7 — came with Jacob Ratusczny, 4, of Dallas, to see the dinosaurs.

“I like the scales,” Mason said as the three boys looked over the stegosaurus.

The event, hosted by TRex Planet, is a touring exhibit of animatronic dinosaurs. According to TRex Planet’s website, their mission is to “educate children and adults alike about the amazing prehistoric creatures of our planet.” The company educates through their lifelike replicas of dinosaurs as well as interactive games.

Tour coordinator Mustafa Farran said the exhibit has been on tour in Pennsylvania for the past four weeks. It was in Carlisle and Williamsport before coming to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It will be in Vermont next week.

“We thought it would be nice,” Farran said.

The exhibit, set up in the ice rink, features replicas of both “live” dinosaurs and fossils, each equipped with a screen with some facts. Outside, there were bounce houses and a dig site for children to search for bones or eggs. Children were even able to take a ride on the backs of the dinosaurs.

Some even traveled from out of town to come to the exhibit. Savannah Ekstedt, of Cresco, and Lily Coffman, of Canadensis, came out to polish up on their prehistoric knowledge.

Ekstedt said she has been studying dinosaurs since she was 2 but has “no idea” what originally sparked her interest.

While Coffman’s enjoyed “everything” about the event, she was able to say what her favorite part was.

“I (liked) digging for bones,” she said.

For the Krumich brothers, their favorite dinosaurs are the T. rex and the fictional indominus rex from the ‘Jurassic World’ movie.

The exhibit continues 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Revolution Ice Center.

Times Leader reporter Melanie Mizenko contributed to this report.

Ava Corcoran, 8, of Plains Township, rides a tyrannosaurus rex at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL060516TRexPlanet_5.jpgAva Corcoran, 8, of Plains Township, rides a tyrannosaurus rex at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Two-year-old Sullivan Huber of Bloomsburg looks at a triceratops display with his grandmother Kathy Huber, right, and his dad David at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL060516TRexPlanet_4.jpgTwo-year-old Sullivan Huber of Bloomsburg looks at a triceratops display with his grandmother Kathy Huber, right, and his dad David at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Five-year-old Jesse Bannon, center, exits a giant Zorb ball after going for a spin as his sister Sarah, right, and an exhibit worker look on at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL060516TRexPlanet_3.jpgFive-year-old Jesse Bannon, center, exits a giant Zorb ball after going for a spin as his sister Sarah, right, and an exhibit worker look on at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Three-year-old Isaac Solomon, of Wilkes-Barre, digs for fossils at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL060516TRexPlanet_2.jpgThree-year-old Isaac Solomon, of Wilkes-Barre, digs for fossils at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Jeffrey Bell, 4, of Middleburg, looks at a Tyrannosaurus rex at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL060516TRexPlanet_1.jpgJeffrey Bell, 4, of Middleburg, looks at a Tyrannosaurus rex at the T-Rex Planet interactive dinosaur exhibit at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader