The University of Calgary campus got downright Jurassic on Saturday. An enormous number of tyrannosauruses and other dinosaur species gathered to help celebrate the schools’ 60th Anniversary. In total there were 682 prehistoric creatures - setting a new world record - made up of Calgarians and university alumni along with their children who were all wearing various dinosaur costumes. The official Guinness World Records certificate now states: “The largest gathering of people dressed as dinosaurs was achieved by the University of Calgary (Canada) on April 11, 2026.” “We thought what a fun way to celebrate our birthday by dressing up as dinosaurs and we know the Guinness Book of World Records was 468 dinosaurs,” said Amanda Affonso. “It’s incredible just seeing the people that have come from community, whether they’re young or whether they’re old or whether there are faculty members, whether they’re deans, like this is a pretty special day when we all come together and have some fun and really just celebrate 60 years together.” That previous world record at 468 was achieved by the Cox Science Centre and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, Florida on January 10th, 2025. Small campus Affonso says the university has changed a lot since it was established. “We were a very small campus when we started 59 years ago to where we are today,” she said. “People who haven’t been to campus recently will probably see there are new buildings and that things have changed since they’ve been here, maybe as a student 40 years ago to where we are today.” Organizers say it’s a campus-wide celebration marking six decades of impact, innovation and community with a full day of free programming including live music, food, interactive activities and campus tours along with keynote speakers and birthday cake. “Hopefully today is that moment of whether it’s nostalgia, whether it’s celebration, or whether it’s just reconnecting with us and having a day where we come together for everyone,” said Affonso. “Today is about our community and how we have built this university together, we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate not only our students, but the faculty, our alumni, our staff members, all of the community members who makes this place great and how we do that together.”
