CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- People of all ages came to check out crystals, minerals, and fossils of all kinds at this weekend's Crystal Fest in Corning. The Finger Lakes Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Club puts the event on four times a year in Crystal City.
For nearly 25 years, the club has promoted geology interests in the region. To aid in this mission, members of the club come together to host Crystal Fest each season and welcome the public to check it out.
While the event is a great spot for vendors to show off their products, it's also a great way for them to share their knowledge with the public.
"Well, I'm here today, just like the rest of the vendors, to show what we have and to sell to the public whatever their interest may be, also to educate the public, should they have questions," said Samuel Gullo, a vendor and the owner of S.J. Gemstones. "They have to answer those questions like what is this, what is the value of that, and that sort of thing. We do that too. But there is a lot to be seen. There's a lot of mineral specimens, there's fossils, there's crystals."
Gullo says there were a total of eight vendors at this weekend's Crystal Fest, each with their own specialty. Many of the vendors say they have been a part of the club for decades.
For Jim Marcy, in particular, these events are bittersweet. His store, Sunshine's Creative Designs, at the Dewitt Mall in Ithaca will be closing at the end of the year due to his relocation. But his crystal store will be open for just a bit longer on Thursday - Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Sundays from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
"Otherwise, you know, we all, as a group, we've been doing it, same group, probably most of us ten or plus years, like I've been doing it for 19 now, I think," said Jim Marcy, another vendor and the owner of Sunshine's Creative Designs in Ithaca. "But it's like a family. We do these same shows. You know it's a small group, so everybody knows each other."
Marcy and Gullo agree that group members are always learning from and helping one another. However, the highlight of Crystal Fest is talking to people right here in the Crystal City.
"Corning is the Crystal City and consequently there's a lot of crystals here, so it kind of fits," said Gullo. "But Corning has always been strong that way, and the community has been very strong, very tight, and you have not just elementary schools, you have high schools here, you have a college here, and so consequently, I think all that pulls together, this just kind of adds to all of that."
The Finger Lakes Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Club's holiday event will be held next weekend on November 30 and December 1 at the American Legion in Canandaigua.
The club will also be back in Corning at the Nasser Civic Center on February 15 and 16.
Hours for both events will be the same. On Saturday, the hours are 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Sunday, the hours are from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
More information on the club and their upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page.