It’s October, and as every Long islander knows, the countdown to Halloween is on. And while All Hallows Eve is one of the most popular holidays around, sometimes non-stop frightful fun can be a bit much for some people. But never fear…an alternative is available for those who need a short break from the spookiness of the season in the form of the Freeport Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show – presented by Kaleidoscope Gem Shows – with is triumphantly returning on Saturday and Sunday, October 29th and 30.
The thrice-annual event was last held August 27 and 28 at its long-time venue, the Freeport Recreation Center, and according to event promoter, Evelyn Gose, attendance was at an all-time high.
“It was really great, and everyone was happy,” she said. “The vendors were happy, the customers were happy, and I was very pleased overall.”
The event is held three times per year; the April show has been running for 47 years, the October show 26 years, and the August show 31 years, and the upcoming October 29 and 30 event will – as always – feature its usual complement of fine gold and silver, estate pieces, minerals and fossils from around the world, as well as exciting varieties of beads and much, much more.
Gose noted that the popularity of the Freeport Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show has been on a major upward trajectory as of late, with the event becoming a destination for rock hounds and gem buffs of all types, not only on Long Island but from out-of-state as well.
“People are now coming to the show from all over the place,” Gose said. “We draw people from all of Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Staten Island, and many other places. So we’re really starting to attract a diverse array of people with different interests who are willing to travel a significant distance to attend the show. Our reputation is definitely spreading.”
The October show will see the return of a number of long-time dealers that regular customers should be well familiar with, in addition to many relative newcomers as well, with all of them offering a diverse and fascinating array of wares to choose from.
In addition, another big draw of the Freeport Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show is how approachable the vendors are; many guests have noted that vendors are more than happy to speak with them at length about the ins-and-outs of their craft and answer any questions that may arise, making the experience of attending the show not only interesting in an artistic sense, but an educational one as well.
“I think that’s a really attractive aspect of the show,” Gose said. “If you do online shopping, you don’t get any of that interaction. Every mineral is different, so getting there and actually seeing all of these displays in person and speaking with the vendors is a good thing, and it really helps somebody find the item that’s just what they were looking for.”
Considering the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is essentially in the rearview mirror now, Gose noted that attendance at the shows have been steadily increasing, with guests often spending more and more time there taking everything in.
“No one leaves one of our shows saying that they’re never coming back again…it’s always like, ‘I had a great time and I can’t wait for the next one,’” she said. “Some people actually come and spend two solid days from opening to closing at the show. They’re really dedicated and they really enjoy it.”
“It’s a really rewarding thing, when you see a lot of people coming in and they like what you’ve presented to them,” Gose added.
The Freeport Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show will be held this upcoming Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Freeport Recreation Center at 130 East Merrick Road in Freeport, NY. Admission is $5.50 for adults and children under 12 with an adult get in free, with all admission proceeds going to the Recreation Center to support the various programs that they offer the community throughout the year.
To find out more, please visit http://www.kaleidoscopegemshows.com.
