By Dr. Phil Stokes, Executive Director and Dr. Holly Schreiber, Director of Education
Hello, again! Memories of our 2018 season, including the World’s Largest Fossil Dig, are still fresh in our minds as we plan our 2019 campaign. Our upcoming season is loaded with science programming including old favorites and new offerings. Please note that the schedule is subject to change and that more programs will be added as the season approaches.
Wednesday, February 13, 7:00 pm
Science Talk: Tales of Mastodons (and Others) from the Hiscock Site
By Dr. Richard S. Laub
Wednesday, March 20, 7:00 pm
Science Talk: An Archeologist’s Perspective
By Dr. Caitlin Chaves Yates
Saturday March 23 and Sunday March 24
Penn Dixie Exhibit at the Buffalo Gem & Mineral Show at the Erie County Fairgrounds, Hamburg, NY
Wednesday, April 17, 7:00 pm
Science Talk TBA
By Don Williams, President of the Steel Plant Museum of WNY
Saturday April 20, 10 am to 2 pm
Earth Day at Penn Dixie
Join our team of volunteers as we perform the annual cleanup of Penn Dixie and prepare to reopen to the public. No registration needed. FREE admission and pizza for all of our helpers!
Saturday April 27
Penn Dixie reopens to the public
Saturdays, 9am to 5pm and Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday April 27, 7:45 pm
April Astronomy Night
Saturday May 4, 9 am to 11 am
Penn Dixie Volunteer Orientation
Penn Dixie would not exist without our volunteers! To keep growing, we’re always on the lookout for help with programming, school visits, community engagement, site maintenance, and administration. No experience necessary. We will provide all the training needed! Learn about Penn Dixie from our staff and experienced volunteers and receive the tools that you will need to make a difference. Refreshments included.
In the auditorium of the Gateway Executive Office Building, 3556 Lake Shore Rd. Blasdell, NY.
Monday May 6, 10 am to 1 pm
Homeschool Day at Penn Dixie
Learn about the geological history of Western New York at Penn Dixie. This special tour for homeschoolers includes a complete educational tour of Penn Dixie led by our trained educators. Students can take home all the fossils they find! Admission is $5 per student. Students must be accompanied by an adult. No experience necessary. Program is for grades 1-12. Pre-registration is required.
Friday May 17, 6:30 pm
The Fossil Adventures of PaleoJoe
By Joe ‘PaleoJoe’ Kchodl, Paleontologist, from Midland, MI
An illustrated presentation with specimens in the auditorium of the Gateway Executive Office Building, 3556 Lake Shore Rd. Blasdell, NY. Admission $4, FREE to Penn Dixie members and their guests, or FREE to registered Dig w/ Experts guests. No registration needed.
Saturday May 18 and Sunday May 19, 9 am to 4 pm
Dig with the Experts
Join us for our signature event — Dig with the Experts! This is our very popular, once yearly opportunity to unearth the best, most complete, and most unexpected fossils at Penn Dixie. We’ll have equipment do the heavy lifting and scientific experts on site to help with locating and identifying the best fossils. You’ll have to do your share of splitting and digging, of course, but you’re guaranteed to find something cool and interesting.
Tickets limited.
May 25, 8:15 pm
May Astronomy Night
Monday May 27 (Memorial Day), 9 am to 3 pm
Penn Dixie open for Memorial Day holiday! Come and dig for fossils!
Saturday June 15, 10 am to 12 pm
Fossil Hunting for Beginners
New to fossil hunting? Learn the tricks of the trade from paleontologist Dr. Holly Schreiber. Tour the site and learn all the best spots to hunt for fossils. Dr. Schreiber will teach you how to find, dig, and preserve all the fossil treasures you find. No experience necessary. All ages welcome. Bring your own tools or borrow from our limited supply. Included with admission or FREE for members.
Monday June 17
Penn Dixie open seven days/week until September 6. Our hours will be Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.
Saturday June 29, 10 am to 12 pm
Fossil Hunting for Beginners
Saturday June 29, 8:30 pm
June Astronomy Night
Thursday July 4 (Independence Day), 9 am to 3 pm
Penn Dixie open for the 4th of July holiday! Come and celebrate our nation’s independence by digging for fossils!
Friday July 5, 9 am to 7 pm
Fossil Friday!
Penn Dixie will stay open late for after hours fossil collecting until 7 pm. Admission is $5 for children and adults ALL DAY; Penn Dixie members attend for FREE. No reservations needed.
Friday July 12, 9 am to 7 pm
Fossil Friday!
Friday July 19, 9 am to 7 pm
Fossil Friday!
Saturday July 20
It’s burger time! Penn Dixie’s free fossil dig and exhibit booth will be setup in the Village of Hamburg as we celebrate the birthplace of the hamburger at BurgerFest. This community event is a great place to share our mission with the public and we hope to see you there!
Friday July 26, 9 am to 7 pm
Fossil Friday!
Saturday July 27, 5 to 11 pm
A Midsummer Night’s Adventure
A different program this year!
Sunday August 11, 10 am to 12 pm
Fossil Hunting for Beginners
Saturday August 24, Time: TBD
A special Penn Dixie program: Stay tuned for details!!
August 31, 7:30 pm
August Astronomy Night
Monday September 2 (Labor Day), 9 am to 3 pm
Penn Dixie open for Labor Day holiday! Come and dig for fossils!
Friday September 6
Penn Dixie returns to weekend hours: Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday September 8, 10 am to 4 pm
Grandparent’s Day
In recognition of Grandparent’s day, all grandparents accompanied by grandchildren are admitted for free. Our experts will also be on site to help identify your fossils, rocks and minerals. Our telescopes for viewing sunspots and solar flares will be available as well.
Adults: $9, Children 3-12: $7, Children 2 and Under & Penn Dixie Members: FREE
No pre-registrations required.
Saturday, September 21, 9 am to 4 pm
Scouting Rocks!
Penn Dixie is excited to offer a FREE day of fossil collecting, sunspot viewing, nature walks, and other hands-on science activities for ANY scout in uniform. More info to follow.
Tuesday September 24, 10 am to 1 pm
Homeschool Day at Penn Dixie
Learn about the geological history of Western New York at Penn Dixie. This special tour for homeschoolers includes a complete educational tour of Penn Dixie led by our trained educators. Students can take home all the fossils they find! Admission is $5 per student. Students must be accompanied by an adult. No experience necessary. Program is for grades 1-12. Pre-registration is required. Register by September 16 and receive $1 off admission. Rain date: September 26.
September 28, 6:30 pm
Astronomy Night
Saturday October 5, 9 am to 4 pm
22nd Annual Erie County Earth Science Day
Come talk to earth scientists and watch as they exhibit and demonstrate various aspects of their professions. Learn about drill rigs and watch a demonstration on rock coring and drilling operations. Sunspots and solar flares will also be visible through our telescopes along with fossil collecting and a wide variety of other activities.
October 19, 6 pm
October Astronomy Night
Sunday October 20
Penn Dixie closes to the public
Thursday November 7, 6 to 9 pm
24th Annual HNHS/Penn Dixie Fundraiser