On March 14 and 15, the Geodeland Earth Science Clubs, Inc. (GESCI) will hold the 45th Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at the Western Illinois University Student Union Ballroom. The show hours are Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 10 am-5 pm. Parking and admission are free.
The theme of the show this year is “Sensational Selenite.” There will be a featured display in the center of the room exhibiting specimens of selenite from throughout the world, and a featured display of meteorites.
The GESCI Show will include 11 dealers in minerals, fossils, jewelry and t-shirts. There will be displays of geodes, minerals, fossils, and other earth science specimens. The displays will include items found in western Illinois and other parts of Illinois, as well as those that come from around the world. Demonstrators will be showing wire-wrapping, geode cracking, beads, jewelry, and faceting.
The silent auction will provide the opportunity to bid on a variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, and other items.
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 around us. These will include the spin and win game, the fossil dig, and a new activity that is a geode race.
Be sure to stop at the registration table to pick up a printed program and sign up for the door prizes. The grand door prize is a large specimen of selenite. There will also be hourly door prizes. A printed program includes a floor map showing where the dealers are located in case you want to find a specific dealer. Kids will also receive two tickets at the registration table – one for a free spin at the spin and win game and the other ticket is for a free turn at the fossil dig. The tickets allow each young person to take home a free fossil from the fossil dig as well as a free specimen from the spin and win. Additional turns can be purchased for the spin and win.
Admission to the show is free, though there are some lantern containers where you can donate to help get special displays for the show each year.
There will be food service in the lower level of the Student Union on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. provided by Chik-Fil-A.
The new History of Life Museum, in 298 Waggoner Hall will be open on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for people visiting the rock show to visit. There are multiple displays on the 2nd floor as well, and “Opie” is hanging in the open glass encased front hallway. There are also new displays in Currens on the second and forth floors. The doors to Currens and Waggoner Halls will be open 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. both days of the show so visitors can view the new displays.
The local club is West Central Illinois Rock and Mineral Club that is centered in Macomb. Other clubs are from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Monmouth, Springfield, Peoria, and Canton, IL.
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 Western Illinois University. WIU has been the venue for all 43 shows. No show was held in 2021 due to Covid restrictions. GESCI was organized with seven western Illinois and eastern Iowa clubs as members. Over the years, several clubs have disbanded or left the group and others have joined leaving the current membership at five 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 and efforts, as well as 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 unsurpassed in a community the size of Macomb.
The group’s website is Geodeland.com. They also have a Facebook page. The local West Central Illinois Rock and Mineral Club has a Facebook page. Contacts for the local club or for more information about the Geodeland Show are Jackie Sullivan 309313-2826 and J.C. or Donna Moore 309-2311952 or 309-231-2116.
