Rock & Gem Show Schedule of Events

Events are subject to change.
All events are at the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Free Rock Painting (Kids Under 12)

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday
March 07, 2026

Children under 12 can paint a rock for free! Come express your creative side and take home your own painted rock! Saturday & Sunday all day, outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.
One rock per child per day, supplies are limited.

Demo: Cabochon Making

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday
Mar 07, 2026

Watch beautiful cabochons being made from rough rock before your eyes! Offered by Les Postlethwait, SCRAGS club member.
Saturday and Sunday all day.
Next to the Wheel of Fortune.

Field Trip #2: Hatch, NM

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday
March 07, 2026

Gather at the front of the Fair Barn to depart for our rockhounding field trip to SCRAGS’ claim near Hatch, NM.
You will be able to collect barite, calcite, quartz, other beautiful rocks and minerals, and fossils.
There are petroglyphs a short drive away.

Field Trip #1: Candy Rhyolite in Truth or Consequences

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday
March 07, 2026

Collect beautiful candy rhyolite from Jason Brousseau of New Mexico Stone Supply’s claim in Truth or Consequences.
Thank you Jason for allowing us to collect on your claim!

Sapphire and Garnet Panning

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Saturday
March 07, 2026

Screen for Montana sapphires or garnets! The sapphire-bearing gravel was mined in the Rock Creek mining district of Granite County, Montana.
 An expert screener (“panner”) will pre-wash your sample – then the fun begins – you search the pile for these precious gems.
$5 per bag.
Please note that sapphire quantities are limited.
Outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Gold Panning

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Saturday
March 07, 2026

Pan for simulated gold for free! Sponsored by the New Mexico Goldminers Association.
You can also purchase panning sand with genuine gold from the NMGA! Visit their booth to learn more about gold panning from local experts and purchase equipment for your new favorite hobby.
Outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Gold Panning

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday
March 08, 2026

Pan for simulated gold for free! Sponsored by the New Mexico Goldminers Association.
You can also purchase panning sand with genuine gold from the NMGA! Visit their booth to learn more about gold panning from local experts and purchase equipment for your new favorite hobby.
Outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Free Rock Painting (Kids Under 12)

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday
March 08, 2026

Children under 12 can paint a rock for free! Come express your creative side and take home your own painted rock! Saturday & Sunday all day, outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.
One rock per child per day, supplies are limited.

Demo: Cabochon Making

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday
Mar 08, 2026

Watch beautiful cabochons being made from rough rock before your eyes! Offered by Les Postlethwait, SCRAGS club member.
Saturday and Sunday all day.
Next to the Wheel of Fortune.

Field Trip #2: Hatch, NM

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday
March 08, 2026

Gather at the front of the Fair Barn to depart for our rockhounding field trip to SCRAGS’ claim near Hatch, NM.
You will be able to collect barite, calcite, quartz, other beautiful rocks and minerals, and fossils.
There are petroglyphs a short drive away.

Field Trip #1: Candy Rhyolite in Truth or Consequences

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday
March 08, 2026

Collect beautiful candy rhyolite from Jason Brousseau of New Mexico Stone Supply’s claim in Truth or Consequences.

Sapphire and Garnet Panning

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sunday
March 08, 2026

Screen for Montana sapphires or garnets! The sapphire-bearing gravel was mined in the Rock Creek mining district of Granite County, Montana.
 An expert screener (“panner”) will pre-wash your sample – then the fun begins – you search the pile for these precious gems.
$5 per bag.
Please note that sapphire quantities are limited.
Outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Presentation: History of Traditional Santo Domingo Pueblo Handmade Jewelry and Flint Knapping (tentative)

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sunday
March 08, 2026

Speaker: Harvey Abeyta, Santo Domingo Pueblo Artist.
No photography or video will be allowed during this presentation.