Jul 30, 2025

Dino-mite day: Raptors and roller coasters rule Summer Picnic

TQL’s annual summer celebration has served up fun since 2006  

By Shannon Russell

Prehistoric fun roared to life at this year’s TQL Summer Picnic.

From extinct dinosaurs to a living, 8-foot albino ball python, TQL’ers were treated to dino-themed adventure at Kings Island Amusement Park and its water park, Soak City, on June 14. 

Neither the threat of severe weather nor the return of Cincinnati’s cicadas could keep more than 2,700 employees and their families from enjoying a full day of food, fun and roller coasters. 

TQL’s annual summer celebration started in 2006 and returned to Kings Island for a seventh straight year. TQL’ers from Cincinnati HQ and 27 satellite offices were treated to parking vouchers and all-day access to the parks, including 15 roller coasters.

The event featured a complimentary picnic dinner, games, face painting, photos and even a reptile petting zoo. Dino Buddies, LLC delivered an exciting hands-on experience with live reptiles to hold, life-like dinosaur puppets to pet, and an interactive educational center with teaching stations. 

TQL’ers posed for photos in a green screen photobooth with dinosaur-themed backgrounds and props. That was just one part of the Jurassic-sized jubilee. The event was packed with even more fun: 

• Kids flocked to the Kids Club Tent to pick up dino-themed drawstring bags and water bottles.   


• TQL Cares hosted a Dino Dig station where kids received paleontologist kits complete with magnifying glasses, hand shovels and excavation brushes. Young explorers uncovered “fossils” during archeological digs in the sand and left with complimentary dino-themed TQL sunglasses.


• Kids crafted their own dinosaur fossils at a DIY station and took home a TQL Summer Picnic sticker.


• TQL welcomed employees’ grandchildren. Over 100 grandkids took part in the fun. 


• TQL hosted a separate picnic earlier in the day for Big Brothers Big Sisters to celebrate the relationships between matches.

TQL mascot Blue mingled with the crowd throughout the picnic as families enjoyed games, Bingo, a face painting station and a complimentary picnic meal. The buffet was a feast of burgers, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, baked beans, fruit, chips, ice cream and unlimited soft drinks. 

DJ Jon Jon kept the energy high with summer tunes and hosted a Bingo showdown with over 150 prizes. While some TQL’ers joined Jon Jon’s lively dance party, others made their way to the coasters and water slides.

Thanks to TQL volunteers and a full slate of dinosaur-themed activities, the Summer Picnic delivered unforgettable excitement for attendees of all ages.

Want to be part of a workplace that brings Jurassic joy to summer? Explore careers at TQL.