Dinosaurs coming to Cathedral City as part of 'Jurassic Wonders' exhibit

A tyrannosaurus rex, a triceratops, a stegosaurus and eight other metal dinosaurs are migrating to Cathedral City as part of an upcoming “Jurassic Wonders” exhibit.

The city has begun setting up the dinosaurs in downtown, at the corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and West Buddy Rogers Avenue. The free public exhibit will take four to six weeks to complete and will be on display throughout the year.

The metal dinosaurs, created by artist Ricardo Breceda, will be historically accurate in size and placed in four vignettes. There will be a juvenile T-rex, triceratops, stegosaurus, parasaurolophus, camarasaurus, two spinosauri, two large T-rexes and two velociraptors, according to a statement from the city.

Cathedral City is collaborating with the Museum of Ancient Wonders on the project.

Museum Director Alberto Acosta said each vignette will offer educational information about the history and characteristics of the dinosaurs.

“You will leave the dinosaur exhibit in awe of their grandness and with a better understanding of their magnificent creation," Acosta said.

Acosta added that the museum, Cathedral City and Breceda will be working together to fund the exhibit. Councilmember Nancy Ross' Community Assistance Funds allocation will fund the cost of additional signage, cable fencing or lighting, according to a Nov. 10 city staff report.

The city council approved the exhibit in November. Ross said it will be an exciting adventure going back in time.

“Families will be able to park nearby, walk up to these marvelous, life-like sculptures and take selfies to share with friends and other family members,” Ross said.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Dinosaurs coming to Cathedral City as part of new downtown exhibit 2022