Dinosaur exhibit at Largo Central Park postponed due to hurricane’s soaking

The city of Largo will have to wait awhile longer for its Jurassic Encounter after Hurricane Ian’s heavy rains soaked the area too much for the dinos to be set up.

Months ago, the city announced that dinosaurs were ready to return from extinction and invade Largo Central Park for 10 days starting Oct. 14, when the Jurassic Encounter walk-through experience was set to stomp into the shady park in central Pinellas County.

The event would have run through Oct. 23, but is now postponed until spring 2023.

Cheri Garr, co-owner of the Virginia-based company, said dozens of animatronic and static dinosaurs were scheduled to arrive in Largo just as Hurricane Ian was heading for the area. After the storm swept through and mostly spared the Tampa Bay area, it still wasn’t good for setup, she said.

“We found really soggy conditions that would take about 10 days to dry out enough for us to install it, so we decided to postpone until April of next year,” Garr said.

Those who had already purchased tickets have been contacted about refunds or can apply their tickets to next year’s show, Garr said.