Museum Gears Up for Fossil Frenzy

The Museum of Natural History is ready for school's March Break with an action-packed week of fossil fun, fossil experiences and fossil shows. It all adds up to a Fossil Frenzy for the whole family from March 13-21.

During March Break the museum is one of Halifax's most popular destinations. "We have been providing March Break programs for years, and people have come to expect a fun and memorable event and we aim to deliver," said Stephen Archibald, the museum's manager of interpretation.

Fossil Frenzy will appeal to all ages. There's an incredible fossil art display from Germany, a chance to observe living fossils like giant Rheas --flightless birds native to Argentina, iguanas, horseshoe crabs, huge millepedes, and of course Gus the gopher tortoise. Wanna-be-palaeontologists will get hands-on experience at the dino dig and fossil discovery pit, and can even meet real fossil finders from Nova Scotia. At the Dino Story Theatre, Neptune Theatre School will present a hilarious explanation of why dinosaurs went extinct -or have they? And toddlers and tots will enjoy the extremely poplar baby animals, courtesy of Hants County 4-H Clubs, whose motto is Learn to Do by Doing.

Based on past March Break events like The Dinosaur Show, The Reptile Show, and last year's Meet the Monkeys, the museum expects to see thousands of kids and families from around the province during the nine-day period.

"March Break allows us to combine a festive atmosphere with high calibre programming," said Debra Burleson, director of the Museum of Natural History. "We hope that visitors leave with a smile on their face and a greater appreciation of the natural world around them."

The Museum Of Natural History is located at 1747 Summer St., next to the Halifax Public Gardens. Admission is $3 per person, $10 per family (2 adults and their children) and children under two enter free-of-charge.

Fossil Frenzy runs March 13-21. Museum hours of operation are:
Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. All other days are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information call 902-424-7353.