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Families and collectors gathered at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum on Feb. 21 and 22 for the 14th annual Museum ROCKS! Gem and Mineral Show.
More than 50 vendors filled the museum grounds with crystals, gemstones, fossils, handcrafted jewelry and sculptures during the two-day show. Organized by Friends of the Farm and Ranch Museum, the event is known for drawing a huge crowd for those who take interest in rocks and minerals.
“It’s one of the main fundraisers of the year for the Friends of the Farm and Ranch Museum,” said Jeffery Hunter, a professor at New Mexico State University who helped organize the show. “The community has always been extremely supportive of this show.”
Visitors moved from table-to-table browsing a variety of polished stones and crystal towers, while the children took part in hands on activities that centered around geology and mineral collecting. A silent auction and educational displays were added to the event’s lineup for the weekend.
Local vendor Neri Barerra said the event was meaningful for his family’s longtime business. Barerra, who carves and polishes gemstones, said he is continuing a trade that was passed down in his family through generations.
“My dad’s been doing it for 67 years, so I’m kind of following through with my dad’s business,” Barerra said.
Barerra, a Las Cruces resident, said he and his family regularly participate in local markets and events in the community. He described the atmosphere at the event as welcoming and encouraging.
“I am grateful, it’s been very, very good,” Barerra said. “It just feels nice giving stones to people that make them feel better in their day.”
Attendees said the show offered something different for the community to partake in.
“It’s nice to have stuff to do in Las Cruces, as there is normally not a lot going on, and you usually have to go to El Paso,” said Maria, a Las Cruces resident who attended the event in search of a crystal tower. “It’s nice to have something family-oriented and positive for the community.”
Maria added that events like the gem and mineral show provide an uplifting environment for families and hobbyists.
After 14 years, Museum ROCKS! continued to draw longtime collectors as well as first-time visitors, reinforcing its place as a community event that is a staple in Las Cruces.
