The Official 2016 Tucson Thread

Easy question first: how many days? First shows will open on Saturday Jan 30 (some may open even earlier) and all shows will close on Sunday, Feb 14. How many days do you have? There will be 40+ shows, some only open to the trade (valid retail resale license needed to enter). We live about 45 miles outside of Tucson and are normally in about 10 days during the shows but some of that is working as volunteers at the Main Show. If you want to do some of the smaller shows figure on at least a week.

Must see shows:

The "Main Show" see poster above. This show features a number of museum exhibits including the Smithsonian, the Denver and LA museums and a number of others. High end mineral dealers abound. Lots of jewelery. As members we will be at the show on Wednesday to set up and Thursday, Friday and Sunday and probably not see everything we would like. You won't find a lot of lapidary material for sale but the jewelery should provide some inspiration.

For us (amateur collectors and beginner lapidary) we consider the Tucson Hotel City Center (formerly the Inn Suites) to be a must do. This is an old fashion 2 story multiple building motel. Just did a quick count of last years Show Guide and came up with 298 vendors at this location. Almost every room in the hotel has a vendor in it. Consider an entire day for this show. Some are mineral dealers, some are lapidary dealers, you just have to walk around. And make sure you do the second floors on most building.

The show at the Keno Sports complex in another one to consider. In the open area behind the main tent are vendors with lapidary material and lapidary machines. Barracca, Diamond Pacific and Graves all have tents at this show. One of the main attractions in past years, Kent's Tools will not be there this year. Kent has moved to a new building in Tucson and will selling from there during the show. Also grab some Kettle Corn at the outside Food Court. Among the best we've found!

Also check out the 22nd Street show. That one has been growing over the years.

Good lapidary material has been found at some of the small shows along the I10 Frontage Road between 22nd Street and Congress Blvd. These would be the Red Roof Inn, Howard Johnson, Riverpark Inn and Clarion Inn shows. There is some junk so you need to go through the displays and be selective.

At the first show you get to, grab copies of the Tucson Show Guide (size of a small telephone book) and the smaller specialized guides. The big Show Guide is a little overwhelming but take the time to go through it.

Good luck and enjoy. I just hope the weather warms up for the shows. There's snow on the mountains around Tucson right now!

Jerry