The Carlsbad Gem and Mineral Society is hosting the 53rd annual Rock & Gem Show at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park June 16-18th, 2023. The show runs 9 am – 5 pm Friday and Saturday, and 9 am – 3 pm on Sunday.  You’ll find gems, minerals, rocks, fossils, meteorites, beads, handcrafted jewelry, a silent auction, door prizes, and the crowd favorite; the wheel of prizes.

Held at the zoo since the 1980’s, the show occurs annually on Father’s Day Weekend. There are usually around a dozen or so vendors each year, and the show typically sees between 1500-2000 people over the weekend.

The Carlsbad Gem and Mineral Society also has membership options, the society meets on the second Thursday of each month at the North Mesa Senior Center in the Yucca room at 7 pm. You can find out more about joining the society by visiting http://www.carlsbadgms.org/

Story and photos by Michele Robertson