Dinosaurs are back and at it again at Sweet Valley Ranch this summer. With over 40 different animatronics, a fossil dig, a fossil museum and 350 animals at the ranch, this Fayetteville summer attraction has been attracting visitors from all over the country.

ShaDonna “Mo” McPhaul, director of public relations, branding and marketing for Surgeon & Associates, Inc., says the interest in Dinosaur World is vast.

“You would be surprised that most of the people who visited were not even from Fayetteville. They came from out of town to visit Dinosaur World,” McPhaul said.

Sweet Valley Ranch launched Dinosaur World last summer, which was a major success for the ranch.
Last year, the attraction had 25 animatronics. The dinosaur trail this year is filled with far more, with over 40 moving dinosaurs and creatures.

“It was a huge response, and I considered making it bigger just from last year. It’s going to get bigger and bigger because what I think is happening is the world has a new infatuation with dinosaurs,” McPhaul said, citing movies like Jurassic World: Dominion and Apple TV Plus’s new show, Prehistoric Planet.

But Dinosaur World is not just dinosaurs this year. Ice Age Animals will be appearing alongside all the prehistoric creatures: mammoths, dodo birds and even our early ancestors - the cavemen.

“I hope people come with their families and just enjoy the peace and the serenity of being on the farm. And of course, I hope they get to experience all of the attractions,” McPhaul said.

The Sweet Valley Ranch Gives Back Program will also continue during Dinosaur World. The program aims to help charities that help people locally.
Six different charities will rotate weekends manning one of the concession trucks.

They will receive a portion of the proceeds, and Sweet Valley Ranch will match up to $1,000 from Fred Surgeon and his wife.

Participating charities include Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, First In Families Cumberland Chapter, Let’s Talk, Cumberland County School Nutrition Association, Vision Resource Center and Health And Nutritional Development Empowered Thru Education (HAND-EE).

By the end of the year, they hope to have given back $50,000.

“I want people to know that they can come out in groups, field trips, birthday parties, family reunions,” McPhaul said.

“We want groups to come out and enjoy the farm.”

The farm itself is home to 350 animals. That includes horses, pigs, cows, rabbits, peacocks and a camel. Over 30% of the animals homed at Sweet Valley Ranch are rescues.

Regular admission tickets will give attendees access to the Dinosaur World Trail, Ice Age, Reptile House, Fossil Museum, exotic bird aviary, fossil dig and a self-guided farm tour. Adult tickets (ages 12 and up) are $30.

Children’s tickets are $20. Children 3 and under get in for free.
Tickets can be bought in-person or online at www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/tickets.
There are add-ons people can pay for, including a guided farm tour, go-kart nature trail rides, catch and release fishing, and ATVs.
Dinosaur World will be at Sweet Valley Ranch until August 21.