Fairfield is set for a big day as the Sac & Fox Lapidary Club gets set to host its year “Rocktoberfest” gem, rock, & gem craft show. Set for October 14-15, this show will be at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds with no cost to get in for all who come. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sat. & from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sun. It will be a day full of finds & joy.
Guests will see a lot of cool stuff to look at. There are fine rings, rare rocks, old bones, smooth stones, big rocks, & bright gems. Dennis Kossow, who is in the club, said the show wants to wow old fans & new ones too. This year, the club has a fun new game for kids – a bone dig in a sand pool, as Mike Messer from the club said.
Messer spoke on the key role of the show in making a strong bond with the town. It adds to the club’s set ways to teach folk. “This year so far, I’ve had the joy of talking to more than 400 kids in spots such as Winfield, Mt. Pleasant, Salem, & New London,” he said. The club reaches out more than just at the show. They do fun stuff like geode break events & chats for groups such as the Boy Scouts.
Showcasing Local and Regional Talent
The event will show sets from fans all through Southeast Iowa. Jeff Pohren will come from Omaha, Nebraska. He is from Washington, Iowa. He still feels tied to the place & comes back a few times each year. He & Messer have been friends since their days at Northeast Missouri State. They met while on rock hunt trips.
Messer quit work, now looks for rocks. He taught for 30 years in Texas. He goes on lots of trips to West Texas & New Mexico. He digs up gems & rocks there. Texas has good agates & jasper stones. Pohren finds fun in looking for quartz in Arkansas.
Global Treasures and Craftsmanship
The show will show gems from all over the map. It lets us see how gems and rocks draw eyes from all ends of the world. Pohren talked up the charm of Blue Lace Agate. This cool rock mainly comes from Namibia, Africa. It is one of the great gems from far lands to see.
Both Messer & Pohren know how to make gems from raw rocks. Each brings their own skills. Pohren says he does the tough jobs with a smile. Messer puts in the “finesse” to their work. “It’s not for cash,” said Pohren. “It’s for the love of the craft & the joy of making nice things.”
The “Rocktoberfest” gem & stone fair is sure to be a fun mix of earth’s gifts, art, & group joy. Are you a big fan of gems or just keen to know more? This fair has stuff for all. Don’t miss out! Go see, find out, & get new thoughts from the great booths & things to do at the Jefferson County Fair places this fall month.
