GEOfest Highlights Many Marvels of Minerals

Visitors can experience the many marvels of minerals as GEOfest returns to the Indiana State Museum. Sponsored by Irving Materials, Inc., this year’s event will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 20-22. One of the museum’s most popular and longest-running events, GEOfest will feature three days and three floors of crystals, fossils and rocks galore along with hands-on activities the whole family can enjoy.

Visitors can browse nearly 30 booths of vendors from across the country, selling a variety of items like beautiful gems, dazzling jewelry, giant geodes, incredible fossil and mineral specimens and more.

With activities throughout the museum, children will enjoy digging into Indiana’s Ice Age past and testing their construction skills at the earthquake simulator. As part of the year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday, families can discover more about Indiana's geological history and learn which past U.S. presidents were fascinated with fossils. Plus, guests can explore the galleries and the R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab for a closer look at sparkling geodes, ancient fossils and geological artifacts.

Irving Materials, Inc., will bring their cement truck and help guests make their own trilobite paperweight. Attendees can also chat with the museum’s paleontologist and connect with several local science clubs and other community partners to learn more about earth sciences.

Rock collecting has captivated people for generations, and the pastime is experiencing a notable resurgence across the U.S. GEOfest offers the perfect opportunity for visitors of all ages and interests, from serious mineral enthusiasts to those with a casual curiosity about shiny stones, to learn more about the hobby while exploring the wonders of geology and the natural world.

“Rockhounding is a hobby where you can spend absolutely nothing on it but time — hunting for rocks outside — or as much as you want on beautiful specimens from a gem and mineral show,” said Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites’ Curator of Geology Peggy Fisherkeller. “It also opens up the world. Not only can you find amazing things from all 50 states, but you can collect amethyst from Brazil, geodes from India, gems from Pakistan and so much more.”

GEOfest is free for members and included with admission, which is $23 for adults, $17 for youth ages 3-17 and $21 for seniors. Visit IndianaMuseum.org to save by purchasing admission in advance.