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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 4, 2009

ORIENT PARK - A world of saber-toothed cats, giant wolves, sharks and prehistoric Indians comes to life this weekend, when FossilFest 2009 opens at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

In Florida, around 12,000 B.C., prehistoric people hunted mammoths, built pyramids along the coast and lived in fear of the saber cat, lion and wolf. FossilFest takes visitors back in time to a Florida long forgotten.

Visitors can view fossils found in this part of Florida, as well as artifacts left behind by the state's first human inhabitants. The event features educational activities for children and adults and is designed to teach people about Florida's extensive and exciting prehistoric past.

Vendors will sell and trade fossils found in Florida and around the world.

"Our goal is to teach Floridians about the prehistoric creatures and people that were here long before us," said Tampa Bay Fossil Club President Michael Searle. "You don't have to travel to far-away, exotic places to find these fossils."

There will be presentations both days on Florida's fossil record and prehistoric people. The free seminars will teach visitors how to hunt for fossils legally in Florida and identify and preserve what they find.

A highlight of the event will be the children's Fossil Mine at Paleo Park. For 75 cents, children can dig through a sand pit to recover real prehistoric fossils donated by members of the Tampa Bay Fossil Club.

At the Learning Table, kids can sit with club members who will identify and explain the treasures. Children get to keep the fossils they find.

The event will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults. Children age 12 and younger enter for free.

To learn more, go to www.tampabayfossilclub .com.

Yvette C. Hammett

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