Dino Day draws huge crowds and delights city centre businesses

A crowd of thousands filled the air with screams of excitement and delight as Dino Day delivered another roar-some performance on its return to Hull city centre.

Families flooded to Queen Victoria Square and King Edward Street to enjoy a parade of prehistoric favourites including a Raptor, Parasaurolophus and Dilophosaurus.

Young and old also embarked on a dino detective trail which took them to retailers across the city centre, and businesses felt the benefit of an event which boosted people’s spending power by being almost entirely free.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “Everyone had an incredible day – there was fun, laughter and a whole lot of roars! It was wonderful to see so many faces light up in excitement – having a fantastic time in the heart of the city centre. 

“We didn’t really know what to expect when we brought Dino Day to Hull in 2022 but it has been phenomenal and this year was the busiest yet. Crowds came early to claim the best vantage points, standing three or four deep against the railings and with children perched on adults’ shoulders to watch the displays.

“Businesses were buzzing as thousands of people headed into the city centre to enjoy the shows and other attractions including face painting and a dino detective trail. Almost all the activities were free, giving families a day out which was affordable, huge fun and right on their doorstep.

“It was also a great opportunity for city centre businesses and we at HullBID are grateful to all of them who sponsored the event, set up stalls for an astonishing number of visitors to enjoy, and really got into the spirit of things.”

Bubbles and broadband were on offer from headline sponsor KCOM as Anne-Marie Freebody, Katie Lindley and Mark Robinson set up their stall outside Hull City Hall  and mixed business with pleasure.

Katie said: “We’re giving away pens and bubble mix and helping people with any questions they have about what we do – contract issues, the new router. People can come to events like this, ask about our services and have a great time. Any chance we get to engage with our community is fantastic and this event is incredible.”

Regular exhibitors making a return to Dino Day included Forbidden Planet, Dinsdales joke shop, Lost City Golf, Superbowl UK and the Dinostar museum. Hull FC and Hull KR joined the fun with their own stands and Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Museums took the opportunity to spread the word about some of the other attractions in the city centre.

Adam Wright and Tricia Boulton from the Forbidden Planet pop culture shop in the Prospect Centre were attending their third Dino Day.

Adam said: “It’s a great opportunity to get our name out there and meet so many people at a great family event. We’ll be at Dino Day every year that HullBID stages it. There’s so much going on and everything is really well run. It brings people together and builds a real sense of community in the city centre.”

Harry Singh at Goldenfry Fish & Chips in Savile Street had Dino Day posters on the wall and leaflets on the counter and said he’ll look into getting some dinosaur sausage for next year.

He said: “The first Dino Day took place soon after we bought the business and it always attracts a lot of people. That’s great when it comes to selling a lot of fish and chips but it’s not just about that – it makes the city centre really lively.”