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“Walking With Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular” began its seven-show run Wednesday night at the Rabobank Arena with a lighthearted announcement: “Please switch off your mobile phones, as reception will not be available for 165 million years.”

In that fun spirit, the laughter — and, as beast upon prehistoric beast came out, the oohs, aahs, and a scream or two here and there — would continue throughout the two-hour show which delighted kids, parents, grandparents, couples, and even singles like myself. I kept thinking I would have wanted to bring my dog and see how he'd react as each mechanical dinosaur, lifelike in look, movement and humongous size, came out. Futuro would have barked for sure. Chihuahuas aren't deterred by another animal's size — don't make no difference how ancient or big. Take that, T-Rex.

Before the show began, I had the chance to go to a special party for the media attended by members of the local print, radio and TV press, their spouses, kids and other family members. The alcohol-free party began with dinosaur-sized pizzas from Cataldo's, compliments of Rabobank director of marketing and sales Shawn Brandon. There were also sugar-sprinkled dinosaur-egg-shaped cookies, and lots of little dinosaur-themed toys as centerpieces and on place settings on the tables — at least when the party began: By the end of the dinner, most had been pocketed. But I think that's what the hosts had intended.

After the party, I had some time to wander around the Rabobank's concourse and talk to some local people.

Four-year-old Andrew Mata and his 10-year-old brother, Michael, were there, along with their mom, Candy Pittman, and stepdad Erik Alvarez.

Andrew, definitely the chattier of the two boys, said, “We saw the commercial when the people were building the dinosaurs and now we're here to watch 'em.” When asked which of the dinosaurs he liked best, he said, “The one with the long neck because it has a big 'ol head. I got the toy of him. I got two.”

His brother likes T-Rex.

The funnest family I met were Magbaleta-Villa-Forneys: Mom, Michelle Magbaleta. Dad, Atilano Magbaleta. The kids: hers, Luke Villa, 8, and Joshua Villa, 6; his, Nia Magbaleta, 8; and theirs, Eris Magbaleta, 3. Finally, there was grandma, or “Nana,” Barbara Forney. My, how families have evolved.

Luke said it was his idea to get tickets for the show, so he told his mom. But it was actually Nana who bought the tickets: Let's see, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 — we're talking several hundred dollars' worth.

“That's all right,” Nana said. “It's coming out of their will.”

I also met 39-year-old Kathy Jimenez, who had her hands full with concession stand food. But that's not what I was looking at. My eyes were on her tail: a $20 green stuffed contraption she had purchased from the merchandise stand that stayed busy ALL NIGHT. It was fastened with a belt that fit around her waist and made it look like she was part-woman/part-dinosaur.

“It makes me feel like a kid again,” she said, as her friends smiled. “Who doesn't love dinosaurs? Who didn't play dinosaur when they were little? If my arms weren't full I'd show you my small arms because I'm a Tyrannosaurus Rex,” she said as she did a little shuffle across the floor.

Walking With Dinosaurs PR people, hire this woman!

Posters were on sale for $10. T-shirts for $25. Blow-up dinosaur dolls for $15. I'm sure vendors are having to replenish merchandise after every show to ensure it doesn't become extinct from all the sales.

Back to the show.

Well, talk about sophistication in set design including movable mountains, inflatable plants and flowers, light and video projection, and an entrance for the dinosaurs that looked like a set of giant jaws. The sound was amazing as well, with the favorite offering coming in the last segment, where the mama T-Rex's roars sounded as loud and low and earth-shaking as nearby thunderclaps, while those of baby T-Rex (an actor in costume) were the cute Hannah Montana version.

Aside from a short first act, a long intermission, and a slow beginning of the second act where a flying dinosaur suspended from wires was introduced, the show was mesmerizing throughout. And educational, too, as the narrator talked about the different ages of dinosaurs and the changes that came upon the planet through the millenia.

We saw eoraptors, brachiosaurus, stegosaurus, torosaurus and others whose names I didn't know and are too difficult for me to try to Webster or Wiki online.

After the show, I caught up with Luke, Nia, Joshua and their family. Hands down, the T-Rex moments of the show, including the interaction between the Mama T-Rex and her young, were the kids' favorite. They all said they liked T-Rex because of its power — but Nana, and Nana always knows best, said it was probably because it's the easiest dinosaur name to pronounce.

Mom liked the brachiosaurus, she said. They were the biggest and two of them were out in the arena at the same time and rubbed necks in a show of affection. “Maybe that's why, as a mom, I liked it,” she said. It was a tender moment, indeed, but I kept thinking the long necks on the things were going to hit the hanging lights or something and snap. Didn't happen. Phew.

If you  live in Bakersfield, it is in your biological destiny to go see Walking With Dinosaurs. So what are you waiting for? The show continues through Saturday, with 3 and 7 p.m. performances Thursday; a 7 p.m. one on Friday; and three on Saturday at 11 a.m., and 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $33.50 to $69.50. Check out rabobankarena.com for more details.

-- By Louis Medina, Calfiornian staff writer