Visitors are invited to travel back in time at The Schiele Museum of Natural History on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM during the 24th Annual Fossil Fair. Participants can search for North Carolina fossils, meet live animals ("living fossils"), mine for gemstones, explore the Dino Safari exhibit, talk to geologists and paleontologists, enjoy a dinosaur-themed planetarium show, and learn all about prehistoric life.
For rock collectors, gemstone enthusiasts, or fossil hunters, the museum will have experts on hand to identify specimens, educate visitors, and sell geodes, fossils, rocks, jewelry, and more. Visitors can mine for their own gemstones in a running water sluice and search for mini fossils in a specially constructed dig site. There will also be family-friendly scavenger hunts, crafts, and hands-on activities.
In addition, The Schiele will have specimens on display that will be part of the future Elizabeth Williams Robinson Hall of Dinosaurs. Now under construction, this space will be the largest dinosaur exhibit in the Carolinas, with 4,200 square feet of authentic fossils, interactive learning experiences, and full-bodied cast specimens of T-rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, and more.
Museum Program Specialist and Fossil Fair coordinator Nathan Chapman says, "On the surface, fossils may seem cold and lifeless, but they are invitations to explore the amazing history of life on Earth! From dinosaurs and giant insects to volcanoes and floods, fossils reveal the story of worlds that once were."
The Schiele would like to thank First Horizon Bank for their generous support of Fossil Fair. Tickets for this one-day-only event are available at the door for $18 per person and provide access to all activities, including the "Jurassic Flaws" planetarium program, showing exclusively during Fossil Fair every 30 minutes throughout the day. Discounted advance tickets can be purchased online at schielemuseum.org.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History inspires wonder, curiosity, and an appreciation of the natural world, providing the region with a unique educational resource. Visitors to The Schiele learn about the world around them through exceptional programming, fascinating exhibits, and ongoing research. To find out more, visit SchieleMuseum.org or follow The Schiele on social media.