HORSHAM and District Lapidary Club expects between 3000 and 5000 people from around the world to converge on the city for the 51st National Gem and Mineral Show.
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Horsham and District Lapidary Club spokesman Toby Decker said the club was excited to host the annual Easter event, also known as Gemboree, at Longerenong’s Wimmera Events Centre.
He said bookings for camping sites continued to roll in.
‘‘At this stage we have 163 sites booked and about 40 off-site campsites,’’ he said.
‘‘Included in those bookings are people from New Zealand and United States of America.
‘‘In the Moore Pavilion, 870 feet of table space has been booked, along with about 40 traders and 32 market stalls.’’
Mr Decker said the Gemboree would be a big economic driver for the region.
‘‘When we hosted the event in 2009, we had 280 campsites filled and 90 per cent of Horsham’s accommodation was sold out,’’ he said.
The four-day event will include demonstrations.
‘‘There is one bloke coming who will demonstrate copper enamel beading and make chain maille,’’ Mr Decker said.
‘‘There will be another demonstration on glass fusing using a microwave, a demonstration on bone carving and one on jade carving.
‘‘The Australian Facetors Guild will give a presentation on faceting.’’
The Horsham club will headline the event with a treasure hunt.
‘‘This is not an Easter egg hunt, but an exciting metal detector hunt with prizes worth thousands of dollars to be won,’’ he said.
Mr Decker said there would be $3000 in prizes up for grabs.
‘‘There will be two sessions on Easter Sunday – one in the morning and one in the afternoon,’’ he said
There will be an adult section and a junior section for children under 14 years of age.
The registration fee is $10 for open and $5 for juniors. People are required to bring their own metal detectors.
Mr Decker said entry forms were available from the Victorian Gem Club Association website – www.victoriangemclubs.asn.au – or people could email him at adecker2@bigpond.com or call 0408 330 564 for more information.
Mr Decker said final preparations were coming together.
‘‘Everything is falling into place,’’ he said.
‘‘Some club members went to Melbourne last week for a four-hour planning meeting.’’
Mr Decker said campers could start arriving from April 1.
The show runs from April 3 to April 6.
