2018 May Daze

The Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club is pleased to host this year’s May Daze on May 18-20, 2018.  The Full program is available here.

Every May long weekend the Alberta Federation of Rock Clubs (AFRC) holds its annual meeting and much more which has become to be known as May Daze. There is sharing of technical hobby information, an opportunity to participate in field trips, acquire machines and rocks through an auction or tailgating and meet other like minded people from clubs across the province. Both members of clubs and general public (nonmembers) are welcome to participate in the event.

A Google Map of the location is here.

The show coordinator is Cal.  If you wish to help volunteer, please contact Cal.   Please bring food for the pot luck on Saturday night.

You can reserve a display case for the 2018 May Daze by emailing Mike.

About:

On Friday people begin arriving with their trailers, motor homes and tents. Each hall facility has its own rules and regulations. This year there is a camping fee for the parking lot trailers but no overnight camping on Sunday night. Others rent rooms at nearby motels. Friday is mostly to get accommodations settled, set up the hall and prepare rocks and other items for the auction. A barbecue of hamburgers and condiments will be made available at nominal cost per person. After the BBQ meal the people meet it the hall for socializing and exchanging lapidary stories.

Saturday is filled with a variety of activities. A few activities such as fieldtrips are preplanned. Others are volunteers who demonstrate their skills and pass along tips to beginners. Some ad hoc workshops may be pleasant surprises. Display cases provide information about materials and members’ activities. Some choose to enjoy coffee and visit for part of the time. A potluck is served about 5:30 pm. The Rock Auction is the main attraction on Saturday evening. The auction items are rocks and anything related to the hobby. Some of the auction items are donated. Other items are consigned with 15% of the selling price going to the AFRC and the consignee receiving 85%. The auction takes place on Saturday after the potluck supper.

Sunday begins with a complementary pancake breakfast. The annual general AFRC meeting begins at 10:00 am. and lasts for an hour or more. Although everyone may contribute to the discussion at the meeting, only paid up club members are allowed to vote on the motions. The remains of the potluck makes up the Sunday noon buffet. The food seems to taste even better on the second day. After lunch tailgating takes place either inside the hall at the tables, or outside selling out of the back of the truck or the trunk of the car. The AFRC asks that all tailgaters donate 10% of their sales to the club using the honour system. The last item on Sunday’s agenda is clean up and leaving the hall in its original condition.

If you plan to stay for the pot luck meal on Saturday night, bring an item of food for everyone to share. Stoves, refrigeration, etc is available. The food you bring will be shared both on Saturday night and also on Sunday noon. Remember to bring your own cutlery, plates, cups, drinks, etc.

All members of the Alberta lapidary clubs are invited and encourage to come and participate in this great event which is specifically geared to them. You may also bring your friends so that they can get to see how much fun it is to belong to a lapidary club!!