Emoti Labs’ Lurnsters Tapped to Headline PuppetPalooza 2026

The Experiential Education Troupe Will Stage a Full-Scale Lobby Takeover and a Prehistoric Crossover Event with Ed’s Dinosaurs Live!

SALISBURY, N.C. – Emoti Labs, an R&D company specializing in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), today announced its flagship brand, Lurnsters, has been selected as the official headlining troupe for the 2026 PuppetPalooza at ImaginOn. On Saturday, January 31st, 2026, the Lurnsters team will partner with the festival to produce a first-of-its-kind, immersive experience for all attendees.

As headliners, Lurnsters will execute a full-scale lobby takeover, transforming the ImaginOn lobby into a living, interactive world. The Lurnsters characters will serve as official event hosts, roving and engaging directly with families, assisting with navigation, and managing several "engagement zones," including:

• Official Character Photo Ops

• Creative Coloring Stations

• Immersive Storytelling Stations

  
  

The centerpiece of the collaboration will be a spectacular, high-energy show developed in partnership with the acclaimed Ed’s Dinosaurs Live!. This colossal crossover event will feature a dynamic, pulse-pounding adventure where the Lurnster characters must manage their "big feelings" of awe, excitement, and fear when a giant, mysterious dinosaur egg on stage begins to hatch.

"This event is a perfect example of the 'Lurnsters Experience,'" said James Catoe, Founder and Managing Director of Emoti Labs. "We believe the most powerful learning happens when a child isn't just watching a story, but living inside of it. Partnering with ImaginOn and Ed’s Dinosaurs Live! allows us to set a new standard for experiential education, combining the wonder of dinosaurs with the real-world lessons of emotional resilience."

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the Lurnsters brand, solidifying its position as a leader in creating large-scale, educational entertainment events for families.

Event Details:

• What: PuppetPalooza 2026, Headlined by Lurnsters

• Where: ImaginOn

• When: Saturday, January 31st, 2026

About Emoti Labs

Emoti Labs is a Salisbury, N.C.-based Research & Development studio specializing in applied child psychology and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). As "The Scientists of Big Feelings," Emoti Labs develops proprietary, "Cinematic LXD" (Learning Experience Design) methodologies to create high-impact learning programs and immersive experiences. Its flagship brands include the "Lurnsters" digital curriculum, "The Lurnsters Experience" live events, and the "Emoti-Grams" direct-to-consumer platform.

Media Contact:

James Catoe Founder & Managing Director, Emoti Labs | info@emotilabs.com