GOINGS ON : Museum Unearths New Show on Dinosaurs : The prehistoric extravaganza opens Saturday with teeth-gnashing replicas in a primeval forest setting.

Right on the heels of the opening of Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” comes the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History exhibit, “Dinosaurs 1993: The Greatest Show Unearthed.”

Opening Saturday, this prehistoric extravaganza exposes visitors to the swampy life of 100 million years ago. Complete with a teeth-gnashing Tyrannosaurus rex and other roaring creatures, the primeval forest setting fills the 3,700-square-foot Fleischmann Auditorium with an educational look at the age of dinosaurs.

The large dinosaur replicas--scientifically accurate in every detail though scaled down--are in constant motion thanks to technology. A computer-controlled pneumatic valve system under the creatures’ skin has them walking, blinking and performing other feats of motion.

The exhibit, which continues through Sept. 6, will be complemented by a variety of activities, including a film about mass extinction of plant and animal life, another that explores what violent events may have marked the last days of the dinosaurs and hands-on displays.

Admission to the exhibit is $5; $3 for children. Museum members are free. The museum is at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays. Call 682-4711.

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Santa Barbara’s annual explosion of free-spirited enthusiasm--the uninhibited romp down State Street celebrating the longest day of the year--is set to commence at noon Saturday.

The 19th Summer Solstice Celebration is sure to attract its usual crowd of parade watchers and participants, who frolic along the route in wildly colorful costumes and imaginative floats. This year’s theme is “Big.” Led by a 25-foot high Trojan horse--surrounded by drummers, trumpeters and dancers--the procession will begin at Cota Street and continue to Micheltorena Street. Don’t miss the giant flying mouse chasing a piece of cheese, the Seafood Salad, the Mud People and other wacky participants.

Festivities will continue at 1 p.m. at Alameda Park for an afternoon of live music, clowns, jugglers, dance ensembles and storytellers. From 7 to 9 p.m. at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens, another offering incorporates music, dance and theater performances.

For information, call 965-3396.

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Though Abraham Lincoln’s decree to free slaves was enacted Jan. 1, 1863, word of the action did not reach slaves in Texas until June 19, 1865.

This unfortunate occurrence will be remembered during a “Juneteenth” celebration this weekend at Franklin Community Center.

Similar festivals will be held nationwide, which marks the 130th birthday of the Emancipation Proclamation and pays homage to enslaved ancestors.

Sponsored by the NAACP Santa Barbara Branch, the celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Franklin Community Center. Highlights include a children’s African folklore theater production by Family Affair, guest speakers educating the community on the importance of acknowledging “Juneteenth,” vendor and food booths, storytelling by Abduhl Akoni, dancers, live music and more.

Admission is free. (Proceeds from vendor booth rentals will support a tour of black colleges by African-American students.) The center is at 1136 E. Montecito St. Call 652-0933 or 564-8644.

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A collaboration between The Santa Barbara Chamber Ballet Co. and the Diane Knowles Academy of Dance will provide fairy tale fans the chance to see perhaps the most famous fantasy of all--”Cinderella.”

The two dance troupes will perform twice--at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lobero Theater.

Tickets are $12; $6 children. The theater is at 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 963-0761 or 962-7941.