A variety of rock-hounds from Victoria to Campbell River will gather in Parksville to show off their wares on Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9.
The Parksville Gem and Mineral Show will take place at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre at 132 Jensen Ave East, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The show will host lapidary clubs from across Vancouver Island, including Victoria, Comox and Port Alberni.
The event is family friendly and children under the age of 12 are free. Adult admission is $2.
Co-organizers Barb Creber and Julia Mewhort together make up a dynamic rock-loving duo “2 Girls Rock,” and are involved in putting on the show. They also organize the Nanaimo Gem & Mineral Show that runs May 23-24, and help with the Port Alberni show that runs from March 7-8.
Creber says the show will have approximately 30 vendors, showcasing everything from raw stones to finished products.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Parksville Gem and Mineral Show
“There will be just rocks, polished rocks, they’ll be lots of crystals, lots of beautiful handmade jewelry,” said Creber.
Gem and mineral specimens from near and far will be on display.
“A lot of it is exotic crystals from around the world. We have some wonderful crystal vendors that bring in lots of exotic crystals,” said Creber.
Lapidary clubs from across the Island will also be showcasing stones collected from around Vancouver Island.
“They do their own gathering, rock hounding and make stuff out of it,” said Creber.
Currently, the event is running a contest on their Facebook page. People are encouraged to submit original photos of rocks and gems. The photo with the most likes will receive a free ticket and a box of crystals.
READ MORE: Rock show to bring some shine to Parksville
Creber will also be running a contest for children. She’ll dress up as a Tyrannosaurus Rex and hide a variety of painted rocks on the beach at Parksville Community Park. Children have the opportunity to look for them and bring them in to the show in exchange for a prize.
“We’re going to hide some rocks for the kids, and if they bring them to the show we have some beautiful crystal prizes for them,” said Creber.
She’ll be hiding the rocks on Jan. 31.
In addition to the contests, the show offers hourly door prizes, with the main prize a large chunk of amethyst valued at $70.
For more information, visit Parksville Gem & Mineral Show’s page on Facebook.
