Sharks at the Park

July 20-27, 2025 at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum

Sink your teeth into science - Sharks at the Park is making waves at EFM! 🦈 From July 20–27, we’re diving deep into a prehistoric sea of shark-themed fun, fossil digs, and jaw-dropping discoveries.

Why sharks, you ask? Millions of years ago, Edelman Fossil Park & Museum was situated beneath a shallow sea home to a dazzling array of ancient marine life. Today, that prehistoric ocean has left us with incredible fossil clues, especially shark remains. In our quarry, you might uncover teeth from Odontaspis cuspidata, Cretolamna appendiculata, Otodus obliquus, or even the ultra-rare Palaeocarcharodon - not to mention fossilized shark vertebrae!

And while the massive megalodon hasn’t been found in our quarry, it remains a prehistoric icon in shark evolution, just one of many ancient predators we’ll explore throughout the week. You may even be able to catch a glimpse of a GIANT megalodon tooth at our very own Collections & Conservation.

Whether you’re here to dig, learn, or just marvel at nature’s oldest apex predators, join us for Sharks at the Park - where ancient oceans come back to life, one tooth at a time.

Highlights Include:

🦷 Quarry Shark Tooth Contest

All Week Long - July 20-27 • Quarry

Dig into fun all week at our quarry digs! Find a shark tooth during your visit and you’ll be entered into a drawing for an EPIC prize: a year-long family membership to EFM plus a $100 gift card! Don’t miss your chance to hunt, find, and win big at the Fossil Park! Explore some of the teeth you could find in our quarry: HERE.

The drawing will be pulled on July 28th.

🌊 Open Water Discovery and Activity Center

All Week Long - July 20-27 • Quarry

Step into the deep and discover the wonders of ancient seas during our Open Waters program - an interactive theater takeover celebrating sharks past and present! This special event dives into paleontology, hands-on discovery, and family fun, all centered around our favorite finned friends.

Explore at your own pace or try them all - each station in the theater invites you to think like a scientist, create like an artist, and look a little closer. This is an add-on experience to museum admission for $5 to participate. Available for purchase at the museum or add-on when you purchase your admission online.

🦈 21+ Adult Trivia Night: Jaws vs. Claws

Thursday, July 24 • 5:30-9 PM

Dive into EFM for this after-hours 21+ event. The ultimate showdown invites teams to face off in a battle of brains: prehistoric sharks vs. dinosaurs. Grab some friends, name your team, and put your fossil knowledge to the test! Enjoy exclusive after-dark access to the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum from 5:30-7:00 PM, then jump into trivia from 7:00-9:00 PM.

Teams can include up to 6 players. Tickets are $50 per person and include museum admission. While the cafe will be closed, guests can enjoy an open beer and wine bar and are welcome to bring their own snacks.

Jaws vs Claws will feature our very own Neck of the Woods' Fossil Park Pilsner!

This is a ticketed event – for event details and tickets: HERE

🎥🍿 EFM PM: Family Movie Night: Featuring Dreamwork’s Shark Tale

Friday, July 25 • 5:00-8:30 PM

Join us for a fin-tastic evening at the Fossil Park’s special after-hours family event! Explore our amazing galleries, dive into an evening quarry dig, and settle in for a special screening of Shark Tale in our theater. Dive into shark-themed activities and pop-up programs. Bring your curiosity for a shark-filled night that’s sure to be a splash! This event is for all ages.

This is a ticketed event – for event details and tickets: HERE

🦴 Rise & Roar: Breakfast & Fossil Dig

Sunday, July 27 • 8-10 AM • Fossil Field Station & Quarry

Start your morning with an exclusive fossil dig in our quarry! Enjoy quarry orientation, plenty of time digging and getting your hands dirty, plus expert help with fossil identification. Before you dig in the dirt, fuel up with a hot breakfast buffet at the fossil field station.

Limited tickets available - grab yours before they go extinct! Registration is required and does not include museum admission. This event is for all ages.

*Breakfast Buffet Menu: Eggs, bacon, potatoes, fruit, coffee & other drinks.

This is a ticketed event - to learn more and purchase tickets, click HERE.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga with the Dinosaurs

Sunday, July 27 • 9 AM-10 AM • Veranda

Our recurring Yoga with the Dinosaurs series is a local FAVE! Stretch, roar, and flow in this prehistoric outdoor yoga session on our veranda. BYO-mat and a sense of adventure. This is a ticketed event and does not include admission to the museum.

To learn more about our yoga series and purchase tickets, click HERE.

🦈 Fin-tastic Fun All Week Long!

Get ready to make waves during Sharks at the Park! All week long, Edelman Fossil Park & Museum will be packed with jaw-some activities, prehistoric surprises, and hands-on adventures perfect for dino lovers and shark fans alike. Dive into:

🔬 Shark-tastic stations and activities throughout the museum - explore real fossil teeth, shark science, and more!

🦖 Snap a pic with our dino pals (and maybe meet a new friend) - keep your eyes peeled for their appearances

🍦 Shark-themed treats & limited-time specials at the Quarry Grounds Cafe

🧠 Fossil chats with our Explorer Guides - learn about the ancient sharks whose teeth you can dig up right here in our quarry!

It’s a celebration of prehistoric jaws, survival stories, and fossil fun. Sharks ruled the seas long before T. rex roamed the land - now it’s your turn to dive into their world!