A rock, mineral, and jewelry show and sale put on by one of the largest rock clubs in the State. The show takes place on Oct. 4 and 5 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. The people who typically attend this event include rock hobbyists, artists, outdoor enthusiasts, earth scientists, students, holistic crystal collectors, curious individuals and families with children.
“Rocktoberfest” is a family tradition where people come to learn, add to their collection or start a new hobby. Brian Murril, the club president, said, “This is the 49th year that the Marysville Rock and Gem Club has entertained thousands of people with our displays, demonstrations and collection opportunities. The club has grown significantly since its inception, and our annual show has moved to the county fairgrounds. People come to see displays of rocks, crystals, and fossils of all types and values. They learn the difference between common rocks and precious stones, how rocks and crystals are used to make jewelry, and how rocks and fossils record the ancient past.”
This year, we have 25 rock, gem, mineral and jewelry dealers, as well as food vendors. Additionally, we feature private rock collection displays, children's games, and offer free door prizes every half hour. We are excited to have a special exhibit from the Island County Historical Society Museum in Coupeville, which includes an adolescent Columbian Mammoth molar and Bison Antiquus bone from the Pleistocene era, along with Coast Salish Indigenous tools. There will also be a dinosaur skull on display that represents a newly discovered species of Horned Dinosaur related to Triceratops. This life-size replica of the partial skull found in Montana in 2005 is thought to have lived 76 million years ago.
A special guest will make an appearance on Saturday only. Dr. Jim Chatters, a local paleontologist, whose work has been featured on Nova and the National Geographic channel, among others. His book,” Ancient Encounters,” has been described as a “Spectacular New Find Is Changing Our Understanding of the Peopling of the Americas.” Jim will be on-site on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2–5 p.m. to identify your fossils. This is a great opportunity to bring your bone fossils and visit with a paleontologist. Who knows, you may have something unique or something that could be new to science!
