BETHEL – A diverse array of gem, mineral and jewelry dealers, as well as rockhounds, are expected to tumble into Bethel this weekend.

The 43rd Annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Crescent Park School on Crescent Lane.

The show features a variety of dealers from Maine and across the United States, providing outstanding specimens, jewelry, gem rough, and more, a show brochure states.

And, for those who want to try their hand at finding their own treasures, daily field trips to Oxford County area mines are to leave at 11 a.m.

The event is sponsored by the Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, the purpose of which is to bring together people who are interested in mineralogy and geology, in hopes that people can benefit from the exchange of information and specimens.

To get to the site of the festival, follow Main Street in Bethel to Chapman Street, then turn left onto Crescent Lane. Admission to the show is $2 for adults, and 50 cents for children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 get in free.

More information may be obtained by calling Dennis Gross at 665-2759 or Norman Davis at 824-2844.