Please join Burpee Museum as we celebrate our 26th annual PaleoFest

Over the last 26 years, PaleoFest has become the premier paleontology event that brings the general public together to mingle and listen to talks by world-renowned paleontologists from across the globe!

PaleoFest is a weekend-long celebration of paleontology at the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford, Illinois. The event features educational programs, workshops, and lectures from paleontologists. For one weekend, Burpee becomes the hot spot for all things paleontology from debates to activities to hanging out with other like minded paleo friends!

What Happens at PaleoFest?

Talks: Paleontologists from around the world share their research and studies
Workshops: Kids and adults can participate in workshops on topics like trilobites and ceratopsians
Art demonstrations: Visitors can learn about paleontology through art demonstrations
PopUp Exhibits & Games: Guests can view one-day only exhibit stations that focus on different aspects of paleontology
Exhibit halls: Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibit halls

Who is Presenting at PaleoFest?

Paleontologists: Researchers and students from around the world share their research
Education staff: The museum’s education staff create activities, games, and pop up exhibits for kids and adults

What’s the goal?

To share research and paleo news
To inspire curiosity and learning about the natural world
To make science fun for kids and adults

Not Just for Professional Scientists

Students, interested community members, and aspiring scientists are encouraged to join the experts as they share stories, research, and experiences. It is an excellent opportunity to make connections and become inspired!

Not ready for the lectures? Families can still enjoy hands-on workshops, lectures for children, and activities for families throughout our museum…paleo science is presented in a fun, big way.

New: Cretaceous Trail Game

Calling our board game fans.  Burpee has created a new board game and we want to see if you can survive the Cretaceous Trail!  Don’t miss this gaming station in the general museum.

Fun and Engaging

Don’t miss our rotating photo and autograph booth.  Here you can meet and greet professionals in the paleo world, catch a great photo, and even get some advice!

Family Workshops

Designed to engage the beginning and intermediate paleo learners, these classroom setting learning, making, and taking sessions will elevate your PaleoFest experience with something personal and memorable.

Lecture Peek

Ready for a taste of something more advanced?  This year Burpee is offering a one day, one speaker lecture peek.  You can catch a peek of our professional PaleoArtists, Researchers, or other speakers in the Riverview Room!

Family Fun

Bring your best dino roar and paleo costume, and jump into so many fun ways to experience the museum. Learn about prehistoric animals and explore the halls of Burpee!

Note: An adult must accompany children ages 4-12.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, February 28, 2025

Members Honorary Kick Off Event

5:00pm – Main Museum
Doors Open for Reception:  Appetizers & Cash Drinks
6:00pm – Check-in for Baby Dinos Class
6:15pm: Baby Dino Class Begins
6:16pm Scott Williams: Paleo & The Celebrity Spotlight Talk
7:30pm – Museum Closes

Saturday, March 1st, 2025

8:30am: Doors Open for Research Ticket Holders at Main Museum
9:15am: Lecture Hall Opening Remarks at Riverview Room
9:30-10am: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
10-10:30am: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
10-11am: Lecture Speaker at Mahlburg Auditorium
10:30-11am: Lecture Break
10:30-11:30am: Workshop: Replicating the Past: Make Your Own Fossil Replica at CL2
10:30-11:30am: Workshop: Prehistoric Pathologies Making a window into the past at CL3
11:00-11:30am: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
11:30-12pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
12:00-1pm: Lecture Lunch at Mahlburg Auditorium
1:00-1:30pm: Burpee Rocks Reading at WtW
1:00-2:00pm: Workshop: Replicating the Past: Make Your Own Fossil Replica at CL 2
1:00-2:00pm: Workshop: Prehistoric Pathologies Making a window into the past at CL 3
1:30-2pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
2:00-2:30pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
2:30-3:00pm: Lecture Break at Main Museum
2:30-3:30pm: Workshop:Replicating the Past: Make Your Own Fossil Replica at CL2
2:30-3:30pm: Workshop: Prehistoric Pathologies Making a window into the past at CL3
3:00-3:30pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
4:00-4:30pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
5:00pm: Museum Closes at Main Museum

Saturday Evening, March 1st, 2025

Riverview Inn and Suites

5:00pm: VIP Doors Open for PaleoReception
5:30pm: Doors Open for All to PaleoReception
6:30pm: Dinner Service
7:30pm: Keynote by Dr. Paul Sereno
8:30-9:00pm: Live Auction of Special Paleo Items

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

9:00am: Doors Open for Research Ticket Holders at Main Museum
9:15am: Lecture Hall Opening Remarks at Riverview Room
9:30-10am: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
10-10:30am: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
10-11am: Lecture Speaker at Mahlburg Auditorium
10:30-11am: Lecture Break
10:30-11:30am: Workshop: Replicating the Past: Make Your Own Fossil Replica at CL2
10:30-11:30am: Workshop: Prehistoric Pathologies Making a window into the past at CL3
11:00-11:30am: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
11:30-12pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
12:00-1pm: Lecture Lunch at Mahlburg Auditorium
1:00-1:30pm: Burpee Rocks Reading at WtW
1:00-2:00pm: Workshop: Replicating the Past: Make Your Own Fossil Replica at CL 2
1:00-2:00pm: Workshop: Prehistoric Pathologies Making a window into the past at CL 3
1:30-2pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
2:00-2:30pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
2:30-3:00pm: Lecture Break at Main Museum
2:30-3:30pm: Workshop:Replicating the Past: Make Your Own Fossil Replica at CL2
2:30-3:30pm: Workshop: Prehistoric Pathologies Making a window into the past at CL3
3:00-3:30pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
4:00-4:30pm: Lecture Speaker at Riverview Room
5:00pm: Museum Closes at Main Museum

Date: February 28-March 2, 2025

Location: Burpee Museum of Natural History - 737 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103

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