MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite you to explore the wonderful world of rocks, minerals, fossils and gems at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Geologists young and old will delight in the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils and gemstones on display. Admission is free.
“This is an excellent opportunity to discover the exciting world of geology,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan. “Visitors will be able to watch gemstones being cut and polished, see unique specimens of rocks and minerals, explore the Watchung Reservation on a geology hike and be dazzled by the ‘Dinosaurs Rock’ show. There is definitely something for everyone at this event.”
Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society, this show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gems, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world. There will be ongoing demonstrations of gemstone cutting and polishing throughout the day and a specialist will be available to help you identify minerals, rocks and fossils from your own collection. Along with educational rock and mineral displays, there will be free hands-on activities for children, including a touch table, fossil rubbings and face painting.
An exciting feature presentation this year is “Dinosaurs Rock,” a show that allows the audience to experience prehistoric times like never before. The Dinosaurs Rock programs are interactive and hands-on, and the audience will be treated to a prehistoric paradise with museum pieces that they are allowed to touch. Highlights include dinosaur eggs, footprints, teeth and a life-size T-Rex skull. Show times are 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. and admission is $5.00 per person. The shows are recommended for ages 4 and older and tickets go on sale at 12:30 p.m. Strollers are not permitted in the auditorium. For an additional fee, the Dinosaurs Rock Mini-Museum will offer opportunities to break your own geode, pan for gemstones and dig for fossils.
The Rock, Mineral & Gem Show will also include an Interpretive Geology Hike. At 10 a.m. and 12 noon, adults and children, ages 9 and up, are invited to hike a rocky trail with a Trailside naturalist to see the deposits of sandstone, shale and glacial debris that illustrate the geologic history of the Watchung Reservation. There is no fee for this hike but space is limited so participants must register at the Visitor Center Service Desk on the day of the event.
For additional information about the Rock, Mineral and Gem Show, or upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call (908)-789-3670 or visit the Union County website at www.ucnj.org/trailside.
Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Members of the New Jersey Mineralogical Society demonstrate cutting and polishing techniques of gemstones at last year’s Rock, Mineral & Gem Show at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. The 2010 Rock, Mineral & Gem Show will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Union County website at www.ucnj.org/trailside or call Trailside at 908-789-3670.
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – “Dinosaurs Rock” will be a special feature presentation on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Trailside Nature & Science Center during the annual Rock, Gem & Mineral Show. Dinosaurs Rock is an exciting hands-on program and the audience is treated to a prehistoric paradise in the Trailside auditorium. Highlights will include dinosaur eggs, footprints, teeth and a life-size T-Rex skull. Admission is $5 per person to the Dinosaurs Rock shows, which are recommended for ages 4 and older. Tickets go on sale at 12:30 on the day of the show. There is no admission charge to the Rock, Mineral & Gem Show, which includes children’s activities throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside. For more information, visit the Union County website at www.ucnj.org/trailside or call Trailside at 908-789-3670.