It was a sight to be seen. A group of dinosaurs woke up early to greet the morning sun in Newcastle on Saturday.
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Though numbers were not great enough to warrant a scheduled dino-yoga sessions, the T-Rex troupe were not deterred and took a turn about the waterfront for the morning.
Why? Simply because these costume lovers can.
DINOSAUR INVASION – EARLIER REPORT
Inflatable dinosaur costumes are on-trend, according to local business owner Glen Fredericks.
“I like to dress in costumes, Star Wars costumes,” Mr Fredericks said. “Last year they started making inflatable T-Rex costumes.
“I don’t know if you have seen Ralph the Rex on YouTube?
“This guy gets dressed up and has millions of followers. I thought it was funny.
“I bought a costume and thought it was fun, but not as much fun as having two and having a friend dress up in a costume as well.
“We took some photos, just before the marriage equality vote. Me and another dinosaur went to the Newcastle’s Most Attractive Couple mural and held a sign saying ‘Vote yes, same rex marriage.’
“Other friends started to say ‘this is fun,’” he said.
Fredericks now owns four dinosaur costumes.
“Friends have bought costumes … I am encouraging my friends,” he said.
Mr Fredericks owns Honeysuckle’s Empire Coffee Co, a Star Wars themed cafe, and has recently opened another cafe at Charlestown.
To see who else wanted to dress up as a dinosaur, Mr Fredericks ran a competition via the cafe Facebook page.
The winner got a free breakfast, but the catch was they had to dress in a dinosaur costume before they could eat.
“We had four dinosaurs dressed up for that,” Mr Fredericks said.
The costumes are self-inflating and are purchased online from the USA.
“It’s a lot easier to put on than Star Wars gear,” Mr Fredericks said. “It’s one size fits all.”
Cosplay is all about the fun of getting dressed up.
“Some people like to make their costumes, I just like to wear them,” he said. “You also get to find like-minded people.
“People with the same interest as you.”
He has now started a Facebook group, Newcastle Hunter Inflatable Dino Costume Fans.
The group is now busy planning all manner of dinosaur-related events. All details of the events will be posted on the Facebook page, but here is a teaser:
- Dinosaur Boardwalk Yoga.
- An appearance at Brickfest, July school holidays, date yet to be confirmed.
- There will also be a T-Rex Stampede.
- Visits to the children’s ward at the John Hunter Hospital.
- They will also be in attendance at local cinemas for the opening on Jurassic World 2.
Check out the Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/1248004751998507.
