A real gem
Mineral show this weekend
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HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Gem and Mineral Show kicks off at 1 p.m. Friday at the Hancock Middle School. Sponsored by the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club (CCRMC), the show will run through Sunday. The show is annually a popular feature of August in the Keweenaw. For decades, residents and visitors alike have flocked to the Houghton Elementary school for the popular three-day show. However, due to construction at Houghton Elementary this summer, the usual venue is not available.
But, as they say, the show must go on, and it has moved to Hancock Middle School with signs at Houghton Elementary directing people to the new location across the canal. As always, the event features gems, minerals, fossils and, of course, copper.
Mineral Show Organizer and incoming CCRMC President Elizabeth Whelan said the Keweenaw's geological resources make it a hotspot for rock, gem and mineral enthusiasts. “It will be a fun weekend for the whole family” Whelan said. As always, the show has many activities that are especially appealing to children. "We have coloring pages, grab bags and a pit with pieces of copper in it," she said. "They can actually use a metal detector to look for Copper Country copper."
Aside from the Copper Country's namesake, Whelan said the Keweenaw has a myriad of other minerals. "When the ice receded it left, of course, the agates and the copper," she said. "It's just the unique geologic formation of the Keweenaw itself gives us a wide variety of different kinds of mineral."
Despite the new location, the show will feature many of the activities attendees have enjoyed for years, such as door prizes, silent auctions and, of course, an incredible variety of gem, minerals, jewelry, gifts and much more. According to Whelan, the Show will have nine different vendors selling everything from uncut rock, slab and jewelry. She said the club expects around 800-900 people to show up throughout the weekend.
As always, the show features a special guest. Nathalie Brandes, author, educator and a professor at Lone Star University is this year’s special guest. Brandes, who pursued doctoral studies at Michigan Technological University, has taught at her alma mater as well as UW-Eau Claire and UNLV. At two presentations, Brandes, will discuss the day-to-day life of the Woolly Rhinoceros and other Ice Age creatures of the Pleistocene -- where they lived, what they are and thy these amazing beasts are no longer with us. Brandes presentations will take place at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Additionally, a Woolly Rhino cast skull will be on display.
Hours of the show are 1 – 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hancock Middle School. Entry is free for the whole weekend. Those interested can find more information at ccrmc.info.