Geodeland Earth Science Clubs, Inc. to be host of annual gem, mineral and fossil show this weekend

MACOMB, Ill. — The Geodeland Earth Science Clubs, Inc. will host its annual gem, mineral and fossil show Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12 in the University Union Grand Ballroom. The show will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

The theme of this year’s show is “Sensational Quartz” and will feature a display in the center of the room exhibiting varieties of quartz.

The GESCI Show will have nine dealers in minerals, fossils and jewelry. There will be displays of geodes, minerals fossils and many other Earth science objects. The displays will include items found in our own backyards in western Illinois, as well as those from around the world. Demonstrators will show wire-wrapping, geode cracking, gem tree making, beads, jewelry, bismuth crystals and faceting.

The silent auction will provide the opportunity to bid on a variety of rocks, minerals, fossils and other items.

An display of fluorescent minerals will demonstrate the array of brilliant colors that some rocks display under ultraviolet light. There will be activities specifically focused on children, both to entertain and inform. These will include the spin and win game, the fossil dig and a touch and feel display of rocks and minerals.

Printed program books and an opportunity to sign up for door prizes will be available at the event’s registration table.  The grand prize is a quartz cluster.

The program includes a floor map, showing where each dealer is located. Children will receive two tickets at the registration table – one for a free spin at the spin and win game, and the other for a free turn at the fossil dig. Each young person participating in the fossil dig gets to take home a free fossil, as well as a free specimen from the spin and win. Additional turns can be purchased for the spin and win.

Admission to the show and park are free. However, some donation containers will be available to help bring special displays to the show each year.

Food service will be in the lower level of the University Union from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.

The local club is West Central Illinois Rock and Mineral Club, based in Macomb.

This show benefits from the cooperation among the member clubs and WIU to present an award-winning combination that has benefited the people of west central Illinois by providing a free source of education and entertainment.

For more information on the show, visit Geodeland.com, the show’s Facebook page, the West Central Illinois Rock and Mineral Club’s Facebook page, or call local club contacts Jackie Sullivan at 309-313-2826 and J.C. or Donna Moore at 309-231-1952 or 309-231-2116.