Rock & Gem Show Schedule of Events – times are subject to change

March
01
2025

Free Rock Painting (Kids Under 12)

Children under 12 can paint a rock for free! Come express your creative side and take home your own painted rock! Saturday & Sunday 9-3, outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.
One rock per child per day, supplies are limited.
Repeats on Sunday.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Field Trip #1: Candy Rhyolite in Truth or Consequences

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!

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Field Trip #2: Hatch, NM

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.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Sapphire Panning

Screen for Montana sapphires! 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.
Sapphire quantities are limited.
Outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Presentation: Egg Carton Mineral Collecting for Kids 5 and Up

Egg cartons and rocks: what do they have in common? Kids: come start your mineral collection! Decorate your egg carton and learn how to fill it with amazing rocks you find! Choose 2 rocks to take home! All supplies provided.
No unattended children, please.
Presented by SCRAGS member Susan Postlethwait.
Inside the Sierra County Fair .
.
.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Gold Panning

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.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Presentation: Overview of the Volcanoes of Elephant Butte, NM

Bruce Cox is a geologist that hails from Montana and spends winters in T or C.
He is currently mapping the volcanoes for the New Mexico Bureau of Mines.
Inside the Sierra County Fair Barn

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
01
2025

Presentation: The Rock Cycle and Classification of Rocks

Mike Eatough has over 40 years experience as a Geologist/Mineralogist and lives in Elephant Butte.
Inside the Sierra County Fair Barn

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Gold Panning

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.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Free Rock Painting (Kids Under 12)

Children under 12 can paint a rock for free! Come express your creative side and take home your own painted rock! Saturday & Sunday 9-3, outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.
One rock per child per day, supplies are limited.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Field Trip #1: Candy Rhyolite in Truth or Consequences

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

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Field Trip #2: Hatch, NM

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.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Presentation: A Beginners Guide to 1.7 Billion Years of New Mexico Geological History

A non-technical overview of the entire geologic history of the state from the creation of the first land that is now New Mexico until the opening of the Rio Grande Rift.
Joan Karrie has a degree in Geology and is a member of the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Society.
Inside the Sierra County Fair Barn

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Sapphire Panning

Screen for Montana sapphires! 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.
Sapphire quantities are limited.
Outside behind the Sierra County Fair Barn.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Presentation: Egg Carton Mineral Collecting for Kids 5 and Up

Egg cartons and rocks: what do they have in common? Kids: come start your mineral collection! Decorate your egg carton and learn how to fill it with amazing rocks you find! Choose 2 rocks to take home! All supplies provided.
No unattended children please.
Presented by SCRAGS member Susan Postlethwait.
Inside the Sierra County Fair .
.
.

Sierra County Fairgrounds
March
02
2025

Presentation: History of Flint Making and of Traditional Santo Domingo Pueblo Authentic Handmade Jewelry

Speaker: Harvey Abeyta, Santo Domingo Pueblo Artist.
No photography or video will be allowed during this presentation.
Inside the Sierra County Fair Barn

Sierra County Fairgrounds