The ancient life of New York is being featured at the Buffalo Geological Society’s 56th annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show on March 14-15 at the Erie County Fairgrounds in the Grange, Market Place and New York State Police Buildings in Hamburg.
This annual show provides an instant museum of Buffalo Geological Society members’ fossils, minerals, and jewelry; demonstrators; the famous Mini-Mine for young collectors; the mining operation for children and adults; mineral and fossil identification; and a variety of non-profit exhibitors.
This highly educational family event affords attendees the opportunity to interact with demonstrators who work with minerals and gems. Demonstrators include fossil preparation, jewelry designers, and other lapidary artists.
Sandy Cline, international renowned soapstone carver from Burleigh Falls, Ontario, will be demonstrating his art of carving wildlife forms from soapstone and will have several for sale.
Past and Present will have some of their dinosaurs models available for viewing, along with actual dinosaur bones recently acquired.
The New York State Museum will be bringing two exhibits of New York State classic fossils from New York.
The Orton Museum, from Ohio State University, will have two exhibits from famous paleontologists James Hall and other early paleontologists that worked in New York.
The Buffalo Museum of Science will have an exhibit of New York fossils. A fluorescent mineral exhibit will be available.
In addition, there with be over 33 dealers selling gems, beads, minerals, fossils, and jewelry from around the world. A food vendor and hourly door prizes will be available.
Young scientists can visit the “Mini-Mine” that offers them the chance to search for mineral specimens in a simulated mine setting. The mining operation is for young miners who can search for minerals and fossils in a bag of sand that they wash. All who attend can experience hands-on fun and learn something new about the geological sciences.
Professional geologists will be available to discuss what geologists do and what types of jobs are present in the area for geologists. Boy and Girl Scouts will be able to earn badge requirements during the show. The Geology Department from SUNY Fredonia will have a stream table demonstrating how rivers behave when water flows change.
Fluorescent Minerals of Northern New York State will be presented by Dino Zack, P.G., CPG , STS Senior Geologist/Project Manager, AECOM Technical Services, Inc. on Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m. in the New York State Police Building.
Back to the Moon: Lunar Geology and the Artemis II Mission will be presented by Dr. Kevin Williams, Professor and Planetarium Director at Buffalo State University, on Sunday, March 15 from 1 to 1:30 p.m. in the New York State Police Building.
Adults are $7 each, scouts in uniform and children under 12 are free. A 2-day admission for $10 each is also available. Door prizes are drawn hourly.