Events
Jurassic Quest Proves Good Times Aren’t Extinct
T-Rex Roars, Lego Floors Glow and Kids Rule the South Florida Fairgrounds with Stomping Adventures.
August 31st, 2025
This Labor Day Weekend saw the legendary and larger-than-life Jurassic Quest return to the South Florida Fairgrounds. It was even more special this year, as the event teamed up with Brick Fest Live. Dinos and Legos, oh my!
Throughout the exhibits were countless Lego stations, each highlighting different themes and age groups. One area let kids build race cars and launch them down a track, while another glowed under black light as children pieced together glow-in-the-dark creations. My 1-year-old son didn’t want to leave the giant Lego pit, where about ten other kids were happily building alongside him.
The Legos were a fun bonus, but if you came to Jurassic Quest, you were there for the dinosaurs. The opening walkthrough alone put visitors in awe. Passing through the towering gates, which resembled those from Jurassic Park, you were immediately met by a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, moving with a terrifying disposition. Yet, instead of fear, the kids were thrilled, excitedly posing for photos with each dinosaur. These animatronic creatures were so lifelike that it felt as if you had been transported back millions of years.
The adventure didn’t stop there. Not only could guests walk through the dino displays, but they could also ride them. My daughter climbed onto the massive Parasaurolophus, which moved and even opened its mouth. For younger children, there was a smaller, fur-covered dinosaur section designed just for little riders.
Adding even more excitement, the kids loved the Jurassic Jeep course, where they got to drive around a giant T-Rex skull. Beyond that, there were bounce houses, face painting, soccer kicking, fossil making, and even dino-digging stations. There was plenty to keep the energy high.
When it came time for live entertainment, the crowd eagerly gathered for the raptor training show. The raptor’s movements amazed parents just as much as the kids. Though it was difficult to see at times with everyone standing, the organizers scheduled multiple shows throughout the day to give everyone a chance.
In a child’s world, life often feels like one routine after another, where even fun activities can lose their spark after being repeated. However, a specialized event like Jurassic Quest offers something fresh, a thrilling and larger-than-life experience that breathes new excitement into childhood.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
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