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Washington Evening Journal
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Dino-Venture visits Wellman library on 4th of July
WELLMAN — For the second year in a row, the 2023 schedule of events for Wellman’s Independence Day festivities had one unusual departure from colorful parade floats, fundraising Bingo games and evening fireworks: a dinosaur-themed adventure, at the Wellman Y.
The Dino-Venture launched in 2022 as a fundraiser for the city library’s expansion. With the money for that move now secured and building development underway, the fan-favorite event returned this year with freewill donations rather than an admission fee.
While it’s thematically far removed from the day’s patriotic fanfare, Wellman-Scofield Public Library Director Carrie Geno said the event was well-received, with plenty of calls for its return in a second year.
“I think everybody has a phase in their life where they just really love dinosaurs,” she said. “Everybody likes them, last year we had 900 people attend.”
Library Volunteer Doug Campbell, who made the setup’s iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex, said he was proud of the work, also crediting fellow volunteer Justin Schmid for many of the room’s activities.
“It’s something for the kids to do,” he said. “It seems like, anymore, there are less and less things for the kids in the community to do on the Fourth of July in Wellman.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
