News Release 481

FAIR-GOERS AGREE: GEOLOGY EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY
AT THE MISSOURI STATE FAIR IS AT THE TOP OF THEIR LIST

Volume 36-481

Contact: Hylan Beydler

(For immediate release)

573-368-2118

SEDALIA, MO, AUG. 15, 2008 -- Junior geologist Lydia Calderon and her family attended the Missouri State Fair Saturday and to their delight, found the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' rocks, minerals and fossil exhibit as exciting as always. Lydia's t-shirt said it all, "I wanna be a rock star!" 

Lydia exclaimed, "I love rocks!" and continued saying that she collects rocks and minerals of all types. "My favorite is the quartz crystal," and gesturing toward the nearly 90 pound stalagmite that was formed inside a cave, Lydia said, "I think the pink dripstone is really neat too."

Stopping at the Womans Building, where the department's exhibits are on display, is at the top of the family's list of things to do at the fair. The Calderon family agreed that the geology exhibit scored a "Best of Show" ribbon. The rocks, minerals and fossils on display at the fair are only a few of the spectacular specimens that reside in the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology in the department's Division of Geology and Land Survey, 111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla. Additionally, a part of the exhibit at the fair is dedicated to the work of professional land surveyors with the department.

Lydia and her family have been attending the Missouri State Fair for a number of years. She and family members also enjoyed seeing the "geoburger" hamburger (coal on a chert bun), french fries (limestone), ice cream (chert) sundae and cup of ice (halite and calcite) that were also on display for the first time.  Each item was made from a rock or mineral found in Missouri.  Lydia, who plans to become a geologist, will enter Mrs. Skaggs' fifth grade class in Independence. 

The Missouri State Fair continues through August 17 in Sedalia. Gates are open 7:30 a.m. to
10 p.m., and the exhibits on the front lawn and inside the historic Womans Building are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Among other things, fair-goers visiting the Womans building can peddle the energy bicycle to light up conventional bulbs vs. energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs, check out a geographic reference station with their handheld global positioning unit, visit the Missouri State Parks Store, learn about water quality and pose for a photo with a standee of a professional land surveyor, a park ranger and an environmental specialist.

Staff members with the Department of Natural Resources are committed to helping Missourians protect their environment, protect employment opportunities and enhance their quality of life. 

The department's Division of Geology and Land Survey offers fact sheets, maps, trading cards and a wide variety of publications, as well as rocks, minerals and fossils. Visitors are welcome to tour the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The publications desk in Rolla can be reached by calling 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827.  We are online at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology.  For information about the historic Womans Building see this Web site thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow402m.htm. For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel.

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Editor:  Photo is available at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/images/dglsfair08.jpg.

Photo Caption:  Isabel, Sophia, Alexandra, Lydia, James, Lupe and John Calderon enjoy their visit at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' rocks, minerals and fossil display at the Missouri State Fair.