BETHEL – The Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association will hold its 44th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Festival today and Sunday, July 9 and 10, at Crescent Park School on Crescent Lane.

The show will feature a wide variety of dealers from Maine as well as across the United States. Jewelry in both gold and silver as well as gems will be on display and for sale.

There will be museum quality displays by the dealers and members of the association. Included is a collection of fluorescent minerals. A special feature will be guided field trips to the Intergalactic Mine on Deer Hill in Stowe on Saturday and Sunday.

In 1993 the Intergalactic Mine was the location of the well-known “Fourth of July” amethyst discovery. The historic find was an important event in modern mineral collecting. The discovery yielded a selection of royal purple Maine amethyst. Other minerals that have been collected at the mine include beryl, molybdenite and quartz points.

The field trip will leave Crescent Park School at 11 a.m. each day. Participants will take their own vehicle and can stay as long they want. The cost for is $5 a person. Those planning to attend should bring hand tools, wear comfortable shoes and bring a lunch.

There will be hourly door prizes as well as a grand prize, a turquoise and silver bracelet that is valued at approximately $250, which will be drawn at the end of the show.

The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults; 50 cents for children ages 5 to 12; free, under 5.

There will also be a mineral swap at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10, in the parking lot in front of the school.

For more information, contact Albert Holden at 743-8729.