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Wally the Stegosaurus Turns 10By Jen Thomas - October 08, 2007
 | | Wally the Stegosaurus turned 10 today. |
PITTSFIELD - It was no different than any other 10th birthday party. There was cake. Children sang "Happy Birthday." There were presents and cards.
But for Wally, the replica stegosaurus who watches over the Berkshire Museum, turning 10 years old is cause for a major celebration.
Hundreds of area children flocked to the museum on their day off from school for Columbus Day to participate in a host of fun activities, including face-painting, creating unique "Wally Wear" headdresses and hanging out with "Mr. Twisty," the magician with the outrageous balloon animals.
Jacob Newton, 6, worked on his "Wally Wear" stegosaurus hat |
An attraction known for its family-friendliness, the Berkshire Museum hosted all activities and admission to the museum was free.
Wally - named for the dinosaur's walnut-sized brain - came to the Berkshires 10 years ago from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and has become a landmark in the city.
"The way I see it, we're a museum of natural history and art and just having Wally outside is an emblem of that focus," said Melanie Mowinski, a public programs specialist for the museum.
As children of all ages roamed the museum, Mowinski said she was happy to see so many families getting involved in the festivities.
"The museum prides itself on being intergenerational and we have this history of people and family. We really want it to be a museum for everyone," she said.
Sisters Madailein, 4, and Teagan, 2, sang "Happy Birthday" to Wally. |
As part of the celebration, dozens of homemade cards for Wally crowded a table near the entrance and about 250 people gathered on the lawn to sing the traditional birthday song.
"It’s just like any other birthday," said Mowinski.
For friends Brandon Jozefiak, 5, and Jaden Ramella, 4, however, the party was less about birthdays and more about an opportunity to engage in a fierce balloon creature battle.
"I’m a pirate. My name is Captain Jack!" said Jaden, wielding a purple Mr. Twisty sword.
Jaden Ramella and Brandon Jozefiak battled with their balloon objects. |
Brandon, struggling to avoid the pirate attack, said the battle was unfair, because he didn't even have a weapon. His balloon eagle did little to protect him in a fight.
"It’s not even a real eagle," he said.
When asked about the dinosaur birthday, the boys had one thing in mind.
"The cake was cool," Brandon said.
As Wally celebrates a decade in Pittsfield, Mowinski was quick to note that there are many more birthdays ahead for everyone's favorite dinosaur.
"Wally’s not going anywhere," she said.
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