Dennis and Holly never stay home!: Gem and Mineral Show

This past weekend we were able to attend the Lakeside Gem and Mineral Club's annual show in Kennewick, WA. The event is a fundraiser and a way to show the public what the club is all about. It took place at the county fairground and filled one of the show buildings. There were vendors selling minerals, finished jewelry, rocks, lapidary supplies and more! Admission was $5 each and the local newspaper had $1 off coupons. Kids were admitted free and there were lots of Cub Scouts and families with children there.

This vendor had many reasonably priced items

Popular table - cracking geodes

Demonstrations went on continually during the show providing time to ask the members questions about their areas of interest and skill. We learned about making polished spheres, wire wrapping, faceting, making cabochons and polishing cuts and slabs.

Sphere polishing - the motors are from old xerox copiers!

Wire wrapping polished cabochons

Faceting machine

Polishing wheel for cuts and large slabs

The kids Junior Rock Club had games, educational displays and also small items for sale.

We bought grab bags of polished stones from these kids

There were door prizes awarded every 1/2 hour and also a silent auction every 1/2 hour. We bought a few items on the silent auction - a couple of pieces of petrified wood and some tumbled stones that we can use in geocaches.

The club members had displays of their choosing to view. Each visitor was given a ticket to vote on their favorite display. They club had awards for the winners of this contest. Some displays were educational and others were showing a persons interest or talent.

Petrified Wood display

Different Jades and other stones

There are rock and mineral clubs in many areas - maybe in your area. Rock hounding is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and maybe find something fun! We have dug geodes in Missouri and Illinois, agates in Missouri and quart crystals in Arkansas.