Via Discovery: Dinos & Legends

09/03/2024

Another and ANOTHER Speaker Announcement! Thomm Quackenbush is an author and researcher home grown in the Hudson Valley.

Being born in 1980, Thomm's interests were ignited by the famous UFO Sightings that clustered in the Hudson Valley from the 1980's into the 90's. They also helped shape some of his theories and ideas about myths, legends, and histories of the Hudson Valley which is why we are happy to have Thomm speaking on his "Alien - Cryptid Hypothesis"!

Mark the date on your calendar, we're sure you'll be swept away by this one!

08/27/2024

It's with another familiar face. Steve Kulls, better known as The Squatchdetective, is an author, TV Personality, Podcast host, and of course a Bigfoot investigator.

Steve will be joining us for his third appearance (we had a Bigfoot Con precursor to Do You Believe Con) and he always brings his passion for Squatching! If you're interested in investigation techniques, local Bigfoot evidence, or the overall topic of Sasquatch; you won't want to miss Steve's presentation!

08/27/2024

🛸👽

An airline pilot says that he and his co-pilot were over Upstate New York on August 1st when a UFO described as a bright green cigar-shaped craft flew toward them.

08/23/2024

We know Summer is winding down, but we've still got a couple of weekends left in our summer hours! We're here Friday - Monday 11am to 6pm with last admission at 5:30!

Admission tickets and Via Aquarium combo tickets are available on line as well:
https://sales.viadoyoubelieve.com/calendar.aspx

08/23/2024

This is the last weekend in 2024 to find Cliff; we can't wait to see your pictures giving him a proper send off. 🥹

We hope you all enjoyed this program, as we know we are proud to have been a part of it!

LAST WEEK TO FIND BIGFOOT! ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR OUR GRAND PRIZES!
Bigfoot is out hiding at one of our Town Parks! Don't forget, all submissions MUST be made via email to [email protected]. The first 10 winners will be notified on Monday 8/26, and will be directed to come into Town Hall to pick up their ice cream coupon and sticker! Bigfoot is generously sponsored by Stewart’s Shop’s, Hayners Ice Cream, and Via Discovery!

This week's hint:
In the whispering pines so tall and grand,
Bigfoot roams, with dogs at hand.
Soft pads tread where shadows weave,
In a forest where secrets softly breathe.

08/21/2024

Did you know that the legends of Saint George killing a dragon first belonged to a fellow military saint Saint Theodore Tiro?

Originally meant as an allegory for overcoming evil, the legend of Saint Theodore slaying a "dragon" can be dated back to the 7th century, well before it was attributed to George in the 11th. In the picture of artwork found at Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, Theodore is the one killing the Dragon while George is shown slaying a human enemy. Perhaps that image became too much for people, and George was given his own dragon.

The look that Theodore is giving a rather happy George probably explains it all.

08/20/2024

Today's brings a new player to Via Discovery!

Bruce Hallenbeck might be new to us, but he is no stranger to the local lore of the Hudson Family. Bruce as been an experiencer and investigator since a very young age. From Bigfoot, to the Kinderhook Blob, to UFOs, and even stories about "the little people," Bruce covers a lot of ground and is going to share a potpourri of it with our guests!

What are you hoping Bruce will cover?

08/19/2024

Some fun news from National Geographic about a new Sauropod with GREEN bones!

08/15/2024

Today Facebook let us know that it was "National Relaxation Day," so for giggles we searched, "What was the most relaxed dinosaur?" Let me tell you, there are no shortages of lists describing the Top Friendliest Dinosaurs. Most don't list their criteria for listing the species, and one even included Velociraptor. Obviously, the Raptors from Jurassic Park/World are far from what they were in reality, but still; they were carnivores.

One page did make a very good case for giving Sauropods the title of "Most Relaxed." Sauropods include Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus, and Amargasaurus. For one, they are herbivores, and two (despite the cute picture) they were HUGE. They were so big they had very few predators and very little reason to fight over territory. Similar to Blue Whales. Even though they aren't predators, they generally outgrow anything that would prey on them.

While we don't have any life-size sauropods, we do have a few Brachiosaurus necks and heads to greet incoming guests and fossils of Camarasaurus. Come check them, and our other dinos, out Friday to Monday 11am to 6pm with last admission at 5:30.

08/14/2024

: Did you know that cryptids like our Kongamato belong to a group of "neopterosaurs"? These cryptids are generally described like flying prehistoric reptiles, hence "neo" or new "pterosaurs. This drawing comes from the Guide des Animaux Cachés (2009) and shows a neopterosaur of Namibia. This cousin (or closer relative?) to Kongamato didn't have a known native name so Jaroslav Mareš, a Chezh zoologist, cryptozoologist, and author, gave it the name "Supodrak" or "Vulture-Dragon." It is reported to have a wingspan of 30" making it larger than the Kongamato.

We're open Friday-Monday 11am to 6pm, and our Kongamato is always up for greeting new guests!

08/13/2024

It's been awhile since we announced one of our guest speakers, so we're jumping back in with a previous favorite! Kenney W Irish aka THE CRYPTOPUNKOLOGIST is a best selling author and TV personality. He's also been a part of some of our previous conventions with a focus on Bigfoot and a great friend/supporter of our facility. This year Kenney is going to be speaking on Dogman/Werewolf legends!

Even more exciting? The Full Hunter's Moon will be happening on October 17th! I wonder howl that will affect his presentation...?

W Irish The-Cryptopunkologist ?!

08/12/2024

Who's excited to meet ADK Bigfoot at "Do You Believe, Too" this October?! Looks like it was a swinging good time!

(I've been asked to add this disclaimer: Please note the floors of Viaport Rotterdam are not as forgiving as a wet lawn. Therefore, we cannot encourage by the ankles pictures, but we sure did giggle.)

08/08/2024

Would you like to be part of a unique event during Spooky Season?!

We still have spots open for vendors at our "Do You Believe, TOO?!" convention! This convention celebrates the legendary and paranormal aspects of our world. Vendors spots are 10x10 and are $75 for the day.

We have guest speakers scheduled to touch on subjects of dogman/werewolf legends, bigfoot, local cryptids, aliens, and ghost hunting. We've also lined up activities like a visit from ADK Bigfoot and miSci's portable planetarium.

Come out and have a mythical time with us!
Application: https://forms.gle/sQNNPMYdcpV7s3Nw7

08/07/2024

Did you know that in the 1980s and 1990s New York's own Hudson Valley was home to clusters of UFO sightings that more than 5,000 people experienced? March 24th, 1983 was particularly busy with more than 300 reported sightings! While this picture wasn't taken on that fateful night, Randy Etting captured these floating lights over Putnam County, NY in 1987.

Did you also know that, according to the The National UFO Reporting Center, New York State currently ranks 5 in overall UFO reports?

We're here Friday to Monday 11am to 5:30pm. Our alien exhibits include an alien display photo op, or reprint of the first reported alien encountered in America, and a History channel snippet talking about UFOs in the Hudson Valley!

08/06/2024

Another announcement featuring a returning vendor! Asgard Comics is re-joining us from Forever Con 2023. Peter's extensive collection leans very much into the spooky and macabre which makes Asgard Comics a perfect fit our "Do You Believe, TOO?!" convention. Be sure to check the booth out, because we know you'll find at least one worthy item.

08/02/2024

This weekend's will be designing dragon eggs!

This is a self-serve craft e setup in our party room and is included in your general admission ticket.

We look forward to seeing your creations!

08/02/2024

The hint is out, and the hunt is on!

Bigfoot is out hiding at one of our Town Parks! Don't forget, all submissions MUST be made via email to [email protected]. The first 10 winners will be notified on Monday 8/5 and will be directed to come into Town Hall to pick up their ice cream coupon and sticker! Bigfoot is generously sponsored by Stewart’s Shop’s, Hayners Ice Cream, and Via Discovery!

This week's hint:
In shadows deep, where legends glide,
Bigfoot roams by bridges wide.
Amidst the trees, where birds take flight,
And turtles bask in the sun's warm light.

08/01/2024

With yesterday's talking about King Kong and Godzilla, we thought we'd share this little dino tidbit!

In 1997 Kenneth Carpenter described a theropod dinosaur from the late triassic that became named Gojirasaurus quayi. Gojira is the Japanese name for Godzilla, meaning this dinosaur's name translates to "Godzilla Lizard." The "quayi" is from the area of New Mexico where the holotype specimen was discovered. While this dino doesn't have atomic breath like its namesake, it does show just how ingrained Godzilla is in our zeitgeist.

We don't have a Gojirasaurus on exhibit, but we do have a some of its similar cousins, the Coelophysis! We're open Friday-Monday 11am to 5:30pm if you want to check them out!

07/31/2024

Today Kong gets his turn in the fun fact rotation. Did you know that Kong's first appearance in a color film was in 1962's King Kong Vs Godzilla? He was also the first American made monster to fight against the King of Monsters!

Contrary to urban legend, there was only one ending filmed for King Kong Vs Godzilla, what muddied the claim of "one clear victor" was a sound editing choice. Without trying to spoil it, in the American version only one kaiju's roar is heard as the movie fades to black, while in the Japanese version both are.

Stop in Friday-Monday between 11am to 5:30pm to see what our Kong is up to these days!

07/30/2024

Announcement

We have another familiar vendor for you all! IsaTe's Designs was part of Forever Con last year and is joining us for Do You Believe, Too. IsaTe's creates inspired works using multiple mediums and specializes in custom crochet dolls.

While you're waiting for October, be sure to follow on Instagram to see past, current, and coming creations!

07/29/2024

"And I love you too, Abigail! Thank you for visiting me and for sharing your love!"

Do you have a message to share with our mermaid? Add yours to her bottle when you visit. We're open Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday 11am to 6pm with last admission at 530.