Entertainment
2 August, 2023
Festival a gem not to be missed
WITH more than 35 stallholders and a range of gems, creative works and minerals for sale, this Sunday’s Atherton Tableland Mineral & Lapidary Club Inc’s Gem Festival has something for everyone.
The popular “Peg a Claim” competition will be held again, giving patrons the chance to win a $600 piece of jewellery among many other activities on the day.
With more than 35 stallholders and tailgaters, coming from throughout Queensland, club president Trevor Hannam said there would be a huge variety of stuff for people to look at.
“It’s unique to the Tablelands – this is the only gem festival that’s held up here. It’s a different fair to what you normally get,” he said.
“I would call it unique for the Tablelands. There’s something for everybody.”
The club’s extensive display of members’ creative works in silver jewellery, cabochons, faceting, along with their mineral specimens collected on their many fossicking club trips also can’t be missed.
There’s even a working mining site with a stamper on it which Mr Hannam says is always popular among visitors.
From 7am-3pm the gem festival will be held adjacent to Tolga Market area and all are welcome to attend. There will be a monster raffle with heaps of prizes to be won as well.
Fun activities such as sand pit fossicking and gem sieving the traditional way are on offer, as well as learning more about minerals and lapidary.
A full canteen will be available throughout the day and free off-road parking.
