Bancroft Gem and Mineral Show Set for July 27: Don’t Miss It!

UPDATE: The highly anticipated Bancroft Gem and Mineral Show is set to take place on July 27, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bancroft Fish and Game Club located at 27602 Hwy 62. This annual event promises an exciting array of exhibits, demonstrations, and auctions that you won’t want to miss!

The show will feature engaging displays, lapidary demonstrations, and a mineral identification service. Attendees can also participate in three silent auctions, with the highlight being a grand live auction led by Mark Stanley from Norwood. Admission is just $3 for adults, while a combined ticket for both the mineral show and the mineral museum is $5. Children and students enter free, making it an ideal family outing.

All proceeds from the event will support the Bancroft Mineral Museum, housed in the historic train station next to Riverside Park. This year marks the show’s 27th anniversary, with the theme “Native Elements” designed to educate and inspire. Wendy Melanson, the acting show coordinator, expressed excitement about the event, emphasizing that planning begins as early as January.

“Each year, we strive to enhance the educational value of our exhibits,” Melanson told Bancroft This Week. Last year’s attendance reached 223 adults, but the total number is likely higher since children under 16 attend for free. Melanson and her team are committed to promoting the show through flyers and social media to attract both locals and visitors.

The vendor lineup is diverse, featuring mineral specimens from various localities, handmade jewelry, and unique fluorescent minerals. “Our vendors include those who cut stones from their own collections and others who specialize in selling books and lapidary equipment,” Melanson explained.

The venue has changed over the years; after over two decades at the Legion, the show now takes place at the Fish and Game Club. “We have a great relationship with them, and they have been very accommodating,” Melanson noted. The event will also include door prizes, with visitors able to enter to win a variety of exciting items.

The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially since the post-COVID resurgence in family attendance. “It’s heartwarming to see families engaging and enjoying the experience together,” Melanson shared.

For more details, including a list of vendors, visitors can check out the event’s Facebook page at https://facebook.com/events/s/27th-annual-gem-mineral-show/1462851854707754/.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the fascinating world of gems and minerals! Mark your calendars for July 27 and join the fun at the Bancroft Gem and Mineral Show!