THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 7, 1995 TAG: 9509060167
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
In the past, Peanut Fest has offered diving mules and racing pigs.
This year - shades of ``Jurassic Park'' - it's performing dinosaurs.
The extinct creatures will be seen in an action adventure presentation, ``Dino Island.''
It is virtual reality, film and visual effects presented as the viewer takes a shake-'em-up ride on seats that move wildly, thanks to state-of-the-art hydraulic technology.
The feeling is similar to being on a roller coaster ride, the presentation similar to Questar at Busch Gardens.
Riders will be taken to a remote, smoke-shrouded island of volcanic canyons, rivers of lava, prehistoric vegetation and, of course, dinosaurs.
The motion and images will take the ``rider'' on the expedition, featuring threatening gestures by a herd of apatosaurus. Viewers will be placed in the middle of a fight involving flying pterandons and the always ferocious tyrannosaurus rex.
The virtual reality theater, sponsored by Suffolk Festivals, Inc., will be in an 18-seat tractor trailer.
``Dino Island'' will be open during the entire Peanut Fest run, Oct. 5 to 8. Prices are $5 for adults, $3 for children under 13. by CNB