Three experts will demonstrate their crafts at the 68th Annual Rock and Mineral Show this weekend.
The 68th Annual Rock and Mineral Show will be held this Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Sweet Home High School Activity Gym. It is hosted by the Sweet Home Rock and Mineral Society. The event draws more than 1,000 visitors on Saturdays each year.
“It’s amazing how many people really love rocks,” said event chairwoman Marie Ekenberg. “It’s great to see the youngsters just really take their interest and maybe go a step further and find out about stuff or maybe win something really cool in the door prizes or raffle.”
The event will be similar to last year, Ekenberg said.
Four demonstrators return.
Emily Start of Silverton will demonstrate and sell her unique wire-wrapped jewelry.
Cathee Bethel will demonstrate the art of cabochon making. She also will off her finished cabochons for sale.
John Burford will demonstrate the art of flint knapping. The shaping of flint through lithic reduction, breaking away flakes of material, to manufacture stone tools, strikers for flintlock firearms, points, flat-faced stones for building or facing walls and decorations.
That’s something that really interests people, especially the children, Ekenberg said.
The third rock will demonstrate how to open geodes, round rocks containing a hollow cavity filled with crystals.
Dealers will offer a wide variety of items for sale, including unique jewelry, petrified wood, fossil specimens, decorative home art, Holley blue agates, thunder eggs and lapidary supplies.
One new vendor is attending this year, Ekenberg said.
Rock hounds will display collections of rocks, gems, fossils and jewelry.
Activities will include silent auctions, grab bags, the wheel of fortune and art projects for children.
The public is invited to bring rock specimens for identification in “Ask a Geologist” by the club’s geologist, Bob Rose.
“That’s getting to be pretty popular.,” Ekenberg said. “We have some amazing things that come through there. He put a presentation together for our club. Incredible stuff. One time, it was a rock specimen with emeralds in it. That was pretty amazing.”
A variety of prizes may be won in a raffle by children and adults. Door prize drawings will be held hourly for children and adults.
A snack bar will be available outside the entrance.
Admission is 50 cents. Children 12 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Children will receive a free Easter egg with polished rocks inside.