-By Barbara Arnstein-
At Rock City Park in Olean, NY, a spot with gigantic rock formations, spectacular scenic views and a 45-minute hiking trail, their 15th Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show will be taking place this weekend Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd. It will be held from 10-5pm on both days.
Half-a-dozen dealers will be offering many interesting items, enhancing the large selection of natural and crafted items usually for sale at the park’s gift shop. A food truck will be offering barbecued beef, salt potatoes and more. Shoppers will find geodes, gemstone jewelry, mineral and rock specimens, cut and uncut stones, shells, nicely carved wooden canes, animal figurines, souvenir hats and t-shirts, crystals, beads, mining tools, and more for sale.
“The dealers really know what they’re doing. Their items are the real McCoy”, said Cindy Smith, co-owner of the park, along with her husband Dale. “The food truck does a great job. They’ve worked with me for six years”, she continued, adding, “My husband makes cider and he might be offering free samples at the show.”
On any day from May to October between 9-5pm, when the park’s trail is open, there are amazing sights to be seen there, such as Teepee Rock, a huge arch that towers about ten stories high, the big free-standing Sentinel Rock, and steps cut from stone. Rock City Park is located in the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County and is visited by thousands of people every year. It is a wonderful place for the whole family to have fun. Although it’s best to stay on the trail, there is so much to see along the way.
For instance, on the part of the trail that is on the edge of a rock outcropping, you can get a really good look at the enormous size of rock formations and enjoy the scenic beauty of the
trees that surround them. Each visitor gets a map with a brief history of the site and a guide that tells you about some of the rocks you’ll be seeing.
Admission will be $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors, while children age twelve and under will be admitted free. Each show ticket will also include admission to the park itself. Rock City Park is located at 505 Route 16 South in Olean, NY, near the Pennsylvanian border. For more information, go to rockcitypark.com or call (866) 404-ROCK.