7’ Wire and Recycled Plastic Dinosaur Sculpture at Puyallup Fair Gets a Name

Young Tacoma Boy Beats out 800 Entries with a Name Judges Find Perfect

Puyallup, WA – Oct. 9, 2009 – How does a dinosaur fit into the Fine Art Show at the Puyallup Fair? It fits perfectly in the sculpture division when it is a 7-foot art masterpiece framed in wire to resemble an extinct creature millions of years old. The bigger-than-life sculpture captured the attention of many of the nearly 1.2 million Fair guests, but the big question was, “What’s its name?”

While Puyallup sculpture Dan Zwink titled the type of entry "Recyclesaurus," it needed a first name. A contest to name the dinosaur was held for kids 10 years and under, with the winner recently announced. Giacobbe Whitworth of Tacoma’s recommendation beat out 800 other entries, and was one the judges felt was most fitting. Giacobbe, age two, named the dinosaur, "Roary."

Fine Art Show superintendent, Bob Baltzell said that artist Dan Zwink was exceptionally talented in his unique show entry. “We usually see traditional sculptures entered in the show, and rarely see something quite this unique. Dan stuffed the wire meshing with recycled plastic – the kind of plastic that kids love:  McDonald’s Happy Meal plastic toys, Frisbees, and other plastic items. The dinosaur drew big crowds all 17 days of the Puyallup Fair.”

Young Giacobbe received a bag of prizes that included a handmade fleece blanket, a giant lollipop, and a Puyallup Fair t-shirt. He brought his father, Jake Whitworth along to carry his treasure trove of prizes home.

 The Puyallup Fair first started in 1900. This Pacific Northwest tradition is one of the top ten fairs in the world in attendance, and features big name entertainment, the PRCA Rodeo, rides, exhibits, food, flowers, and animals. The Spring Fair in Puyallup is slated for April 15-18, 2010, and the Puyallup Fair Sept. 10-16, 2010. For further information, visit www.thefair.com or call the 24-hour hotline at (253) 841-5045.

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