The Lancaster County Fossil and Mineral Club (LCFMC) will hold its annual Fall Harvest Rock and Mineral Festival on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 450 W. Main St., Mountville. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., visitors will have an opportunity to view a diverse collection of fossils, minerals and crystals, and many of the specimens will be available to purchase. Admission may be purchased at the door for a set price, and only cash will be accepted. Students between kindergarten and 12th grade will receive a discounted admission price, and children under the age of 5 may attend for free.

A variety of educational activities will be offered to youngsters who attend the festival, and each activity will relate to geology or paleontology. Every year, LCFMC offers different activities for kids to ensure children who have previously attended the festival will learn something new. Last year, LCFMC introduced an activity that simulates spelunking; it was so popular that it will return for this year's festival. Children and their parents, who are equipped with a flashlight, will proceed into a dark room through a makeshift mine entrance. Various minerals and crystals will be scattered throughout the room for the explorers to find and take home.

During the festival, the Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ Ladies' Guild will sell food such as chicken corn soup, hamburgers, hot dogs and baked goods. Those attending the festival are invited to bring rocks, minerals and fossils to receive a free specimen analysis from expert geologists and paleontologists.

This will be the 10th year that LCFMC has hosted the Fall Harvest Rock and Mineral Festival. The club was founded by Catherine Haefner and her husband, Chris; Catherine serves as the organization's treasurer, and Chris acts as its president. "We didn't have a rock and mineral club in Lancaster before this. We wanted to serve people in the community with a passion for earth and mineral sciences and provide a place to collaborate with fellow rockhounds," Catherine said. Catherine added she has had an interest in geology since she was a child. She credited the origin of her hobby to her father, who shared his fascination with minerals and rock tumbling. Chris comes from a long line of rockhounds; he has five family members who are geology professors.

LCFMC members meet at Trinity Reformed Church on the last Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. The club also organizes annual rock and mineral shows, where participants can have specimens analyzed or buy new pieces for their collection. The shows are often attended by more than 900 geology enthusiasts.

Those interested in joining LCFMC are invited to attend one of its meetings or contact Catherine at 717-917-5442.