Dino Shindig
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July 27 & 28, 2024 at 9am to 5pm
Annual Dino Shindig
Cost: $10 Adults, $7 Kids (ages 16 and younger)
At Carter County Museum 306 N Main Street Ekalaka, MT 59324
The 12th Annual Shindig is July 27-28, 2024!
Named Montana’s Event of the Year by the Office of Tourism and Business Development, the Annual Dino Shindig takes place at the end of July. Visitors travel from all over the world to hear lectures from leading paleontologists, partake in kids activities, and dance the night away. Talks and kid’s activities on July 27 are $10 for adults and $7 for kids (under 13). They will go on sale in-person at the Carter County Museum on July 27.
The Annual Dino Shindig Auction includes a silent auction that runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Lutheran Church (where the talks are located). The Live Auction will begin after lunch at 1:30 p.m.
After the festivities on July 27, check out the Ranch Rodeo and Match Bronc Ride at Ekalaka Track and Arena (5 p.m.), and the street dance on Main Street.
Extend your stay and join us on Thursday, July 25 at Medicine Rocks State Park for Sunset Yoga at 8 p.m. a Bat Walk at 9 p.m. and Dinosaurs & Dark Skies at 10 p.m. (Free admission). We also have several special programs to check out on Friday, July 26.
Full schedule below.
SATURDAY, JUly 27 AT 4:15 P.M.
Prehistoric Fight Night
411 East Cleveland Street, Ekalaka MT
T. rex had a bite that could crush steel. Spinosaurus had claws as long as your torso. They lived at different times, on different continents, but everyone wants to know…
Who would win in a fight?
It’s the question on the mind of every kid (and a lot of grown-ups) when they visit a museum or watch a dinosaur movie. We all have our ideas, but find out who the scientists would put their money on.
And the madness doesn’t stop there! We’re pulling fighters from all of prehistory! Tyrannosaurus rex, Palaeoloxodon, Quetzalcoatlus, and Mosasaurus! Find out - from the experts - which monster from deep time will come out on top!
SATURDAY, JUly 27 AT 7 P.M.
Why Dinosaurs?
411 East Cleveland Street, Ekalaka MT
WHY DINOSAURS follows dino-obsessed youth James Pinto and his filmmaker father on a journey around the world, interviewing world renowned paleontologists about the latest dinosaur research, digging up real dinosaur bones, and encountering dinosaur fanatics of all walks of life. The film features a wide array of dinosaur enthusiasts, from seasoned paleontologists and amateur fossil hunters to paleo artists and fans of the Jurassic Park movie franchise. Kallie Moore and Dr. Jingmai O'Connor, two of this year's Shindig Speakers, are featured in the film and will be leading the Q&A following the program.
SUNDAY, JUly 28 AT 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
Science & Cultural History Gathering
Free Admission
The Science & Cultural History Gathering takes place at Medicine Rocks State Park Group Use Area.
- 10 a.m. Shawn Backbone, Crow Tribe: History of the Apsaalooke (sponsored by Humanities Montana)
- 11 a.m. Brody Hovatter, Burke Museum: Early primates from northeastern Montana, USA
- 12 p.m. Microsite sorting fossil activity
- 1 p.m. Nature Hike with Garrett Jericoff (Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks)
SUNDAY, JUly 28 AT 8:30 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
Fossil Field Expedition
Carter County Museum
The 2024 Fossil Field Expedition is SOLD OUT.
Registered participants should meet at the museum at 8:30 a.m. to sign waivers and receive their field assignment. Please bring hiking shoes, a water bottle, and plenty of bug spray and sun screen. The museum will provide digging tools and a sack lunch for participants. If you have a food allergy, please plan on packing your own lunch. A limited number of vegetarian options will be provided.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where will you be digging?
This fossil field expedition includes exposure from the latest Cretaceous period (66-100 million years ago). Participants will be assigned to one of six sites and can find dinosaur and marine material, as well as fossil plants.
What happens to the fossils we collect?
All the fossils will be deposited at the Carter County Museum per agreements with our private landowners and the Bureau of Land Management. There, they will be sorted, prepped, cataloged, and made available to researchers. All finds will include participant names as collectors and will be identified as such if put on display at the CCM.
Please Note:
We are excavating fossils on BLM and private lands. As such, dogs and other animals are not allowed. Participants may not remove any material for personal or commercial purposes. The privilege to dig on private land is granted only for the duration of this single experience and participants may not return to the property without receiving permission from the owner. Violations of this will be considered trespassing and/or theft and will be subject to penalty under the law.
