Petrified wood featured at gem show

The 67th Annual River of Gems Show is this weekend at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Admission is $5 for those 18 and older, free for those 17 and younger. Parking is also free. File photo by Lance Masterson.

The Willamette Agate & Mineral Society shares it passion with others when it hosts its 67th Annual River of Gems Show at Polk County Fairgrounds, Friday through Sunday.

Attractions include vendors, displays, speakers, auctions and treasure hunt for children ages 11 and under.

Due to its volcanic legacy, Oregon is famed for its sunstones, opals, agates, jaspers and other gemstones. Examples of which will be on display.

The show returned two years ago from a COVID closure. The response was enthusiastic. A new record was set with 2,800 paying customers.

Petrified wood is this year’s celebrated gem.

Admission is $5 per person, free to those 17-and-under. Parking is free.

Demonstrations include “Wire Wrapping” by Cassandra Hutchinson, “Flintknapping” by John Buford, “Gold Panning” by the Willamette Valley Miners, and “Jewelry Making” by Ed’s Custom Jewelry.

Saturday presentations are in Building B. Topics are “Willamette Valley Pleistocene Project,” Dave Ellingson, Woodburn High School, 11 a.m. to noon, and “Oregon’s State Gemstone,” Hans Neukomm, Neukomm Rock & Gem Shop, 2-3 p.m.

Sunday presentations, also in Building B, are “What’s in a Name” with Laura Joki, 11 a.m. to noon, and “Gold Panning 101,” Willamette Valley Miners, 1-2 p.m.

The treasure hunt is at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

An oral auction, with items donated by the vendors, is 2 p.m., Sunday. Proceeds benefit the club’s scholarship fund.

Silent auctions are on tap all three days.