MACOMB, IL – 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. Parking and admission are free.
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 include 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 that come 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 impressive 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 them. 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 also 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 is free, however, some donation containers will be available to help bring special displays to the show each year.
There will be food service 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.
Brief History of GESCI
The GESCI was created in 1980, to organize, promote and conduct a cooperative educational Gem and Mineral Show each year. The first show was held in 1981 at WIU, which has been the venue for all 42 shows.
The group was organized with seven western Illinois and eastern Iowa clubs as members. Over the years, several clubs have disbanded or left the group, while others have joined, leaving the current membership at six central and western Illinois clubs, and one from Iowa.
In addition to the activities of their home clubs, the clubs and their members participate by donating their time and effort, as well as rock, mineral and fossil specimens, for the purpose of sharing their passion and joy with those who attend the GESCI show.
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 or 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.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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