The Uwharrie Wampus Cats have big home games almost every night, but few of them will be bigger than what they’ve got planned for Father’s Day this Sunday.

The Cats will host the Disco Turkeys for a 6 p.m. game, but the excitement gets started early with prehistoric action.
Gates at Don Montgomery Park will open two hours early Sunday, at 4 p.m., so fans can spend time checking out a dinosaur show with North Carolina-based Ed’s Dinosaurs Live. The same group also puts on large dinosaur shows at Charlotte Knights and Kannapolis Cannon Ballers home games, as well as minor league games across the country. This is a chance to see them in a more grassroots setting.

Ed’s Dinosaurs Live will return to Albemarle Sunday. (Contributed)

Last year’s show featured a 30-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex, Dino’s walking the grounds and a baby dino being born right on the field. More than 400 fans were in attendance at last summer’s dinosaur game. Fans can come early, but they can also come at the regular time. The dinosaurs will be part of the action early on. Last year, a dinosaur threw out the first pitch.

“We thought Father’s Day is such an important day for families anyway, why not have something fun for the dads and granddads to do with the kids, like spend time with dinosaurs,” said Wampus Cats team owner Greg Sullivan. “We had incredible feedback from families last year after the dinosaur game and can’t wait to bring them back again on Sunday.

“We’re also doing more with Father’s Day, such as letting the players and their dads play catch on the field and, thanks to the early start time, will allow kids to run the bases following the game.”

The on-field activity should be fun to take in, too. The Wampus Cats have won three out of the first four match-ups with their rival Disco Turkeys so far this year, including a 9-4 win last Saturday. Then they picked up a 10-0 shutout of the Queen City Corndogs and defeated the defending league champion Mooresville Spinners in home games early this week.

“Coach Josh Kent and the players have been playing very well and I think the fans have already noticed this year’s team is better than last year’s in Year 2,” Sullivan said. “Watching them, spending time with Dad and catching the dinosaurs should make for a must-see night.”

Admission for the dinosaur show comes with a standard game ticket, which can be bought online for $7 or at the gate for $8. Concessions and beer are available for sale at all Wampus Cats home games.