For years, Pennsylvanians have been yearning for a premiere destination to receive a top-tier dinosaur experience. Enter Dominic Bianco, a 2004 Bethel Park alumni as well as a graduate of the California University of Pennsylvania and Point Park University.
Starting as just a dream, it becomes a reality on Oct. 5 in South Park as Bianco opens Jurassic Alcove at Fairgrounds Building 8.
Doors open at noon and close at 8 p.m. Food trucks and a Jurassic World all-terrain vehicle will be in attendance.
Though previously said, this project for Bianco started as all but just a little dream for the BPHS graduate.
In an interview with The Almanac, he credits some of his inspirations as the “Carnegie Museum of Natural History,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Land Before Time.”
Bianco explained that not only did he have an interest in dinosaurs but animals in general, reminiscing about trips to The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, The Carnegie Science Center, and Sea World of Ohio.
During certain times of the year, these businesses would host animatronic dinosaurs, really adding to the entire experience.
“I remember being enthralled with them,” Bianco explained. “Sometimes spending all day within these places and observing the dinosaurs. I always had a vision of opening a space that kind of captured this feeling.”
Jurassic Alcove thus far has been described as, “A space where dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages can ogle the majesty of ancient animals, learn about the creatures and the times in which they lived, and enjoy lectures from leaders in the dinosaur community.” (The Almanac).
Diving head first into this business venture, Bianco prepares to offer six life-sized replica dinosaurs including a 15-foot long Stegosaurus and a T-Rex head eye-catching learning materials, fossil displays, a dino dig pit, and a tent replica display, to name a few.
Bianco’s Jurassic Alcove will open on Oct. 5 at Fairgrounds Building 8 in South Park and will feature authentic life-size replicas of dinosaurs.
Photo courtesy of Dominic Bianco.
At the same time every month, he plans to bring in some of the top speakers in paleontology to deliver first-class insight into our one common love, dinosaurs.
Bianco is not alone in this endeavor as he has amassed nearly 26 thousand followers on Instagram to assist him in the journey.
The help continues beyond there. In fact, since he graduated from BPHS in 2004, Bianco has been busy making connections within the paleontology world.
Through his work on The Jurassic Mag (his dinosaur magazine), he’s worked with superstars such as Jack Horner (a consultant in five “Jurassic Park” movies), Dr. Mark McMenamin, and Paul de la Salle who wrote a paper discussing how plesiosaurs swim, and major dinosaur merchandise manufacturers like Mattel and Reebok. In addition, he made connections with Design Toscano (statue makers), and they worked out a way to bring life-size dinosaurs to Pittsburgh!
On Oct. 5 in South Park, Pa., Dominic Bianco’s goal with Jurassic Alcove is simple: He wants to have the same impact on inspiring paleontologists as people of his past once did to him.
“The opening of The Jurassic Alcove means so much to me,” Bianco said. “This is a project that I have physically worked on (the building, the procurement of the dinosaurs) for nearly a year, but mentally have been building my whole life.
“It’s incredibly rewarding and brings me a lot of happiness. I’m very grateful that members of the community have been so receptive to it!”
Tickets are $5 per person and guests are encouraged to bring a camera to capture all of the great moments. Children 12 and under will receive a complimentary dino “egg” to excavate at home.
