When we are little we are fascinated with dinosaurs and pretty rocks.

As we get older, the fascination grows as we are able to learn about when the dinosaur roamed the planet and where to go to find our own pretty rocks and minerals. If you head down to the Courtenay Legion on April 13 or 14, you will be able to find a very large assortment of rocks, fossils, gems, minerals and more.

The annual fundraiser for the local Courtenay Gem and Mineral Club is heading into its 17th season of gem shows.

Once a year they invite artists, geologists, and amateur collectors a chance to both sell and show off their 鈥減retties.鈥� As part of the BC Lapidary Society, the Courtenay show is one of a series held throughout the province. Along with over 35 merchants, there is a children鈥檚 activity corner where parents/grandparents can leave their charges while they shop and come back to see the wonderful art pieces the children have made; fossil preparation demonstrations, lapidary demonstrations, silent auctions, and slab tables. The kitchen always serves up chili and other wonderful meals. Pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.

This event is always well attended and loved by all between the ages of 4 and 104. The $3 admission gets you into the hourly draws with prizes donated from the vendors. Children under 12 are free with an adult.

Come support the Courtenay Gem and Mineral Club and if you like what you see we are always looking for new members; we meet the third Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m. Between meetings, field trips are planned to search out more treasures. Our club also uses funds from this event to award a scholarship to a member鈥檚 child who is attending university or college in the science/geology field.

Stop by on 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, and 9:30-4 Sunday, April 14 in downtown Courtenay at the Legion 367 Cliff Avenue.