MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite you to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils and gems at Trailside Nature & Science Center on Saturday, Oct. 15, from noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“This two-day event is a great opportunity to discover the exciting world of geology,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Visitors will be able to watch gemstones being cut and polished, see unique specimens of rocks and minerals, and be dazzled on Sunday by the ‘Dinosaurs Rock’ show.”
Geologists, young and old, will be mesmerized by the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils and gemstones on display and for sale. Admission both days is free.
On Saturday, vendors will be displaying and selling their specimens. On Sunday, there will be ongoing demonstrations of gemstone cutting and polishing, children’s activities and a specialist will be available to help you identify minerals, rocks and fossils from your own collection.
Sunday also will feature a special presentation of “Dinosaurs Rock” in the Trailside Visitor Center Auditorium at 1:30 and 3: 30 p.m. “Dinosaurs Rock” is an interactive hands-on program that allows the audience to see up-close and touch museum quality pieces. Admission to this special presentation is $5 per person. This show is recommended for ages 4 and older and tickets go on sale at 12:30 p.m. Strollers are not permitted in the auditorium.
This educational, entertaining hands-on dinosaur and fossil adventure will allow the audience to experience prehistoric times like never before. It’s an opportunity to see and touch genuine, life-size museum quality specimens that are millions of years old. Highlights include dinosaur eggs, footprints, teeth, a life-size T-Rex skull and a 9-foot high Ice Age mastodon leg. For a nominal fee, children also can dig like a real paleontologist for genuine fossils, pan for gemstones such as amethyst, emeralds and rubies, and open crystal-filled geodes.
Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society, the Rock, Gem & Mineral Show on Oct. 15-16 will host more than 25 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gems, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world.
For more information about the Rock, Mineral & Gem Show, or upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and 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.
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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – “Dinosaurs Rock” is a feature presentation on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. during the two-day Rock, Mineral & Gem Show at Trailside Nature & Science Center. The exciting hands-on program is a prehistoric paradise with museum pieces that the audience is allowed to touch. Highlights include this life-size T-Rex skull, plus dinosaur eggs, footprints, teeth, and a 9-foot high Ice Age mastodon leg. “Dinosaurs Rock” is recommended for ages 4 and older. Admission is $5 per person. Tickets go on sale at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the show. Admission is free to the Rock, Mineral & Gem Show which is open Saturday from noon – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with more than 25 vendors selling rocks, minerals, gems and fossils from around the world. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For additional information call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web: www.ucnj.org/trailside.
For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .