Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for Wednesday, May 21 at 10:30 AM

UTICA —  Get ready for a Jurassic-sized adventure! The Utica Zoo is thrilled to announce the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Dino Discovery presented by The Flemma Group at Baird, an international, animatronic dinosaur exhibit that brings the prehistoric past to life. The grand opening of the exhibit is Saturday, May 24, running through October 19, 2025.

Included with regular zoo admission, Dino Discovery features over a dozen life-sized animatronic dinosaurs placed strategically throughout the zoo grounds. From towering carnivores to gentle herbivores, each dinosaur boasts realistic movements, roars, and some even include water-spraying effects, offering guests of all ages an immersive and unforgettable experience.

“With this new and exciting exhibit, we anticipate an additional 25,000 visitors to come to the Utica Zoo. That will bring in people from all over NY who haven’t visited the zoo in a while, those who have never visited us before and allow us to still excite our members who come regularly,” said Kyla Jacobs, Utica Zoo Director of Administrative Operations. “An exhibit of this caliber has never been to the Utica Zoo or the Mohawk Valley, which is exciting for our small community. Having an exhibit that has been showcased around the world, right here in their backyard is very special, and we’re happy we can host it.”

Opening weekend (May 24–26) promises a packed schedule of family-friendly activities, including:

• Utica Zoo Members Only: Early access from 9 am – 10 am on Saturday, May 24.
• Dino Keeper Talks throughout the day
• Dinosaur-themed crafts
• Scavenger hunts
• And more surprises for guests of all ages!

Throughout the summer, visitors can look forward to daily dinosaur presentations, special educational programming, and exclusive themed events, making each trip to the zoo a new adventure.

The Utica Zoo would like to give special thanks to the sponsors who have made this experience possible; The Flemma Group at Baird, Bank of Utica, First Source Federal Credit Union, Adirondack

Bank, Market 32/Price Chopper, Steve Lennon & Company Jewelers, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Semikron-Danfoss, New York Sash, Stewart’s Foundation, The Hartford, Greater Utica Chamber, AmeriCu Credit Union, NBT Bank, Roser Communications, CNY Open House, WKTV, Sentinel Media, and VoiceMV.com. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer, contact a.heath@uticazoo.org. 

Don’t miss your chance to journey back in time and get ready for a summer filled with dino-sized fun at the Utica Zoo! For more information, visit www.uticazoo.org/dinodiscovery. 

The Utica Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is a regional destination that inspires and promotes the appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Situated in the heart of Central New York, the zoo features a diverse collection of animals from around the world and offers various educational programs and events for visitors of all ages. It is home to approximately 200 exotic and domestic animals, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information on this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.