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Geodeland Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show March 9-10 at WIU

February 22, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- The Geodeland Earth Science Clubs, Inc. (GESCI) will hold its 39th. Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at Western Illinois University Saturday-Sunday, March 9-10.

The show will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday in the University Union Grand Ballroom. Parking and admission are free.

The GESCI Show will include 11 dealers in minerals, fossils, jewelry and equipment. There will be displays of geodes, minerals, fossils and many other earth science objects. The displays will include items found in backyards in western Illinois, as well as those that come from around the world. Demonstrators will be showing wire-wrapping, geode cracking, flint knapping, glass bead making and lampwork, cabochon finishing, glass fusing, pen barrels turned on a lathe, stone carving, gem tree making and faceting of gemstones.
The theme of the show this year is "Geodes: From Keokuks to Coconuts" and will highlight programs by Ed Wagner from Springfield, IL.

The special exhibit includes examples of specimens of unusual geodes from the collections of members and dealers.

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 kids – both to entertain them and inform them about the world. These will include the spin and win game, the fossil dig and a touch and feel display where the kids can actually touch the rocks and minerals without being told, "do not touch."

Event programs and a sign-up area for door prizes will be available at the registration desk. The program includes a floor map showing where the dealers are located and children will 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 to take home a free fossil.

Donation containers, to help bring different special displays to the show each year, will be located throughout the Grand Ballroom.

A Saturday highlight will be tours of the Geology Museum in Tillman Hall from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The museum features a T-Rex skull, a life size Ophthalmosaurus and a life-size reconstruction of a Tully Monster. There are also displays in the lower hallway leading to the museum including a one million carat crocodile quartz from Brazil, a display of geodes, examples of inclusions in concretions from the Mazon Creek Area and pegmatite minerals.

Brief History of GESCI

The Geodeland Earth Science Clubs, Inc. (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. The University has been the venue for all 39 shows.

GESCI was organized with seven western Illinois and eastern Iowa clubs as members. The club is currently made up of six central and western Illinois clubs, and one club from Iowa.

In addition to the activities of their home clubs, the clubs and their members participate by donating their time, efforts and rock, mineral and fossil specimens for the purpose of sharing their passion and joy with those who attend the GESCI show. This show takes advantage of 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.

The group's website is Geodeland.com and they also have a Facebook page. The local West Central Illinois Rock and Mineral Club also has a website at RockChatter.com, as well as a Facebook page.

For more information about the Geodeland Show, contact Jackie Sullivan (309) 313-2826 or J.C. and Donna Moore (309) 231-2116 or (309) 231-1952.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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