Tuscon Show

[TheFossilHunter]

Hi,

I've decided to go to the Tuscon show this year for the first time. if i am not mistaken, the show is from jan 26 thru the first half of February. There are lots of shows there and I am trying to figure out when to go since i can't spend 2 weeks.

Can someone give me advice when is best time to go if you had a couple of days + weekend?

I am looking for a good variety of fossils, especially fish, and ammonites (not so much minerals).

Anyone esle going?

Thanks

[Auspex]

I'm thinking hard about going (first time for me, too); as of now, early Feb. might be possible.

[TheFossilHunter]

I'm thinking hard about going (first time for me, too); as of now, early Feb. might be possible.

Would be cool to meet you there. Do you think it doesn't matter when to go? I want to add a couple of days to a weekend and go so I can have like 4 days. My understanding is that in the beginning there will be more variety and towards the end less variety but better prices..

[Auspex]

I'm hoping that some veterens of the show will lend their advice on this thread. I don't have the luxury of picking the days I go; it will be when I can. I just need a primer on the layout (several locations, plus individual rooms?) so I won't kill too much time in the wrong place!

[TheFossilHunter]

We should probably consult Brock. As far as I know, He's been to the show several times both as a buyer and a dealer.

[crinus]

Would be cool to meet you there. Do you think it doesn't matter when to go? I want to add a couple of days to a weekend and go so I can have like 4 days. My understanding is that in the beginning there will be more variety and towards the end less variety but better prices..

FossilHunter is absolutely right about variety being good at the begining and prices better at the end. I was there a couple of years ago and really enjoyed my 5 days there. It is absolutely huge and all over the city. Fossils are concentrated to one area and about 4-5 hotels. Two hotels were close to 100% fossils and the other had a good mix. Don't forget that this isn't just a fossil show. There are minerals and all other sorts of junk. I found that everyone hits the main places but if you are willing to go to off beat spots you will find better deals. One day my buddy spent a lot of money on Madagascar ammonites. The next day I talked him into stopping at a "tent city" which was mainly beads and junk but there was one dealer from Madagascar selling ammonites for half of what my buddy paid the day before. You need to look, but if you spend too much time looking all the good stuff will be gone.

I may go this year again but haven't decided. It would be nice but I really don't need anymore fossils. I have enough to spend the next 10 years just prepping.

crinus

[Guest N.AL.hunter]

"It would be nice but I really don't need anymore fossils." Blasphemer!!

[TheFossilHunter]

FossilHunter is absolutely right about variety being good at the begining and prices better at the end. I was there a couple of years ago and really enjoyed my 5 days there. It is absolutely huge and all over the city. Fossils are concentrated to one area and about 4-5 hotels. Two hotels were close to 100% fossils and the other had a good mix. Don't forget that this isn't just a fossil show. There are minerals and all other sorts of junk. I found that everyone hits the main places but if you are willing to go to off beat spots you will find better deals. One day my buddy spent a lot of money on Madagascar ammonites. The next day I talked him into stopping at a "tent city" which was mainly beads and junk but there was one dealer from Madagascar selling ammonites for half of what my buddy paid the day before. You need to look, but if you spend too much time looking all the good stuff will be gone.

I may go this year again but haven't decided. It would be nice but I really don't need anymore fossils. I have enough to spend the next 10 years just prepping.

crinus

thanks Crinus. You seem to know what the deal is. Are weekdays or weekends better for getting a good deal/good variety? does it make any difference? Are all the shows running the entire time? From what you are saying it sounds like I should probably go sometime in the middle of the show, look around and purchase stuff towards the end of it. Perhaps start out febr 6,7 ( weekend) and hang out thru feb 9?

If you go, I hope we can meet up.

Thanks

Mike

[ebrocklds]

Mike,

as you guessed i will be there. i plan on being there the 31st of january through february 6th or so. maybe longer. anyone who plans on going let me know, especially if you plan on buying anything in particular. i could most likely stear you in the right direction. unless you plan on buying rare stuff it won't matter when you go. i think with the economy the way it is there wil be plenty of variety and also good deals to be found everywhere.

Brock

ps

the fossil shows start january 31st i think

check www.mzexpos.com for full show info

[TheFossilHunter]

Mike,

as you guessed i will be there. i plan on being there the 31st of january through february 6th or so. maybe longer. anyone who plans on going let me know, especially if you plan on buying anything in particular. i could most likely stear you in the right direction. unless you plan on buying rare stuff it won't matter when you go. i think with the economy the way it is there wil be plenty of variety and also good deals to be found everywhere.

Brock

ps

the fossil shows start january 31st i think

check www.mzexpos.com for full show info

Thanks Brock. I will try to adjust my schedule so I can catch you there. is there any show i should register for in advance? Any advice on cheap place to stay over there? will i need to rent a car?

[RJB]

You guys are getting me excied! With gas prices so low now, maybe I should go? I havent been there for a few years now. When I used to go every year, I would camp out at PepperSauce campground. Its about 45 miles away, but I would go with several other folks and we had a blast spending all day in town and then wiskey and steaks in the evenings! I will have to give this some thought.

RB

[tracer]

this forum makes me restless. i need to take off for about a decade and hunt fossils full time. nothing stands between me and my dreams except for six little numbers. i don't play the lottery, though, because i figure my chances of winning are about the same whether i buy a ticket or not.

wonder if i got me a big plastic nametag saying "tracer's triassic treasures" on it and wandered around acting merchantly at tucson if i could get some good deals on dinosaur bones, teeth, claws, and big sinus cavities? i need some of that stuff. pick up a seven-inch meg tooth for tj. get a bunch of those chinese bondo lizards and make a low-budget monster movie using them as extras... dress tj up like people do their dachshunds on halloween and film him going around lifting his knees high and stomping bondo lizards while a friend buzzes his head with one of those radio-controlled micro helicopters they sell now.

the camera would be on a tripod and i'd be wearing one of those beer-drinking helmets with a can on each side and a long straw that comes down to your mouth. every once in a while i'd lean around in front of the camera and look into the lens and tap it and say, "is this thing on?"

comic relief would be little badly-prepped crabs, held from the bottom, being moved sideways across the bottom of the field of view about every 14 seconds.

i'd have the daughter off to the side with a fishing pole waving around a dangling model archieoptricks in deference to avian end-stage evolution. (love ya, man, don't block me. it's just humor.)

and then, after all was said, done, and filmed, i'd just click, "Add Reply", and move on...

[crinus]

From what I saw of my Fri-Wed stay was that prices on hotels were high on weekends and much lower during the week. Since it was my first and only time there I reserved a room in a town about 40 miles away. It was still expensive. During the week I saw advertized hotel prices in town that were lower than what I paid. We did rent a car because of the distance but you will probably still need a car if you want to get around. I think there as a shuttle to get to the various shows, but can't remember since we had a car. I also did some sight seeing so having a car helped. After a couple of days at the shows my feet were sore and I was just seeing the same stuff.

Brock is probably right about the economy and good deals to be found, so it may be a good year to go. I will have to ponder this a bit more. Hotels may even be a good deal.

crinus

[TheFossilHunter]

You guys are getting me excied! With gas prices so low now, maybe I should go? I havent been there for a few years now. When I used to go every year, I would camp out at PepperSauce campground. Its about 45 miles away, but I would go with several other folks and we had a blast spending all day in town and then wiskey and steaks in the evenings! I will have to give this some thought.

RB

mean to say that it will be warm enough to camp?

[TheFossilHunter]

From what I saw of my Fri-Wed stay was that prices on hotels were high on weekends and much lower during the week. Since it was my first and only time there I reserved a room in a town about 40 miles away. It was still expensive. During the week I saw advertized hotel prices in town that were lower than what I paid. We did rent a car because of the distance but you will probably still need a car if you want to get around. I think there as a shuttle to get to the various shows, but can't remember since we had a car. I also did some sight seeing so having a car helped. After a couple of days at the shows my feet were sore and I was just seeing the same stuff.

Brock is probably right about the economy and good deals to be found, so it may be a good year to go. I will have to ponder this a bit more. Hotels may even be a good deal.

crinus

i wish i could drive that far. that would also solve the problem of having to mail the fossils you buy. but its too far from me. i will have to fly in and rent a car i guess. if anyone remembers a cheap cheap place to stay please let me know. my pockets are so emptyy right now. i dont even kmow how im gonna pull this trip off .

[raptorclaws]

You guys are getting me excied! With gas prices so low now, maybe I should go? I havent been there for a few years now. When I used to go every year, I would camp out at PepperSauce campground. Its about 45 miles away, but I would go with several other folks and we had a blast spending all day in town and then wiskey and steaks in the evenings! I will have to give this some thought.

RB

Hey, Peppersauce is my favorite place to stay around Tuscon. Usually lots of space availabe (whereas Catalina St. Park fills with RVers.

Just a note: if you are driving to Tuscon it's a good idea to drop in at Quartzite the couple of days leading up to the hooplah in Tuscon. You can get first pick of some items from smaller sellers before they head to Tuscon. After the show, not much in he way of fossils at Quartzite.

[NSRaddict_1]

We are going this year , can't wait .

Close to the end of February , got a few dollars saved and if not enough will stand on a street corner with hat in hand , SIGN : "WILL WORK FOR FOSSIL MONEY" .

[TheFossilHunter]

We are going this year , can't wait .

Close to the end of February , got a few dollars saved and if not enough will stand on a street corner with hat in hand , SIGN : "WILL WORK FOR FOSSIL MONEY" .

hey.

what are you doing for hotel such? any campgrounds in the area? how much is trip costing you? i got a little discouraged when i saw the airfare and hotel prices. do you know if parking in town is a problem?

thanks

mike

[RJB]

mean to say that it will be warm enough to camp?

when camping most anywhwere, it pays to be prepaired. Ive camped there many times and most of the times its purdy nice, but weve been there during wind, rain and snow. the thing is, I think it was 8 dollars a night? and a fire can make even a snowing night almost ok.

RB

[ebrocklds]

mike, parking is never really a problem. you may have to walk a little but not too bad. i have only had it snow on me once. it rained once too. but the other years it has been nice.

Brock

[NSRaddict_1]

hey.

what are you doing for hotel such? any campgrounds in the area? how much is trip costing you? i got a little discouraged when i saw the airfare and hotel prices. do you know if parking in town is a problem?

thanks

mike

We booked way early for the Hotel (October this year) , we are driving up and plan on hunting road cuts on the way up , so no real hurry up there , so just Hotel , gas and food is all and fossils or gems , I found a first time Tucson Gem and Mineral show guide on the Internet . Don't have it on this laptop but will post when I get back to my other one .

Did a quick Google search "first time Tucson gem and mineral show guide" and found lots of info , this is the one I printed out Linky .

[TheFossilHunter]

We booked way early for the Hotel (October this year) , we are driving up and plan on hunting road cuts on the way up , so no real hurry up there , so just Hotel , gas and food is all and fossils or gems , I found a first time Tucson Gem and Mineral show guide on the Internet . Don't have it on this laptop but will post when I get back to my other one .

Did a quick Google search "first time Tucson gem and mineral show guide" and found lots of info , this is the one I printed out Linky .

Great, thanks. I am trying to book a flight in the next couple of days. may have to fly to Phoenix instead of tuscon and rent a car to get to tuscon. when are you going?

Will check the guide right now

[NSRaddict_1]

Great, thanks. I am trying to book a flight in the next couple of days. may have to fly to Phoenix instead of tuscon and rent a car to get to tuscon. when are you going?

Will check the guide right now

Feb 7th-10th .

[PaleoRon]

I have been to the show several times and I usually stay for a week or so. If you are looking for rare, unusual, or "best of" material you will want to get there the day before the show opens (or earlier) and see the early openers. The fossils are concentrated in two or three areas, but there are many smaller fossil dealers that are unable to get into the main fossil show hotels so they may be set up in a "mineral" hotel or one of the tent areas. The weather is usually wonderful if you're coming from a cold area. Temps during the day can be in the 60 to 70 degree F and drop to 30 to 40 at night. The show coincides with the ripening of citrus fruit and there are many trees at the hotels. Some of the fruit is great by itself and some is better as juice in a refreshing alcoholic beverage. Lodging can be expensive during the show. It is the time of year that hotels make a good bit of their income so show rates can be triple or more of non-show rates. The farther from the shows you go the cheaper the hotels. Luckily, I know a few people in Tucson that I can stay with so my fossil dollars are spent on fossils and not hotels.

The Tucson airport is easy to get in and out of and when you leave town the airport personel don't freak out when you have six inch meg teeth in your carry-on luggage. The crew at Phoenix are not as understanding. I 10 has been under construction for a couple of years and has made travel through Tucson a bit irritating. Get a city map as soon as you can and stick to the access roads as much as possible during rush hour. One of the main fossil hotels is between the interstate and A Mountain on the access road. There are many attractions in the area and the closest to the shows is Sentinal Peak Park AKA "A Mountain". The local college has a large A on the hill and they keep it whitewashed. It can be seen from a good portion of the city and I often use it as a navigational landmark. Nogales, Mexico is about an hour away and relatively safe during the day. I have been there several times and I have never been bothered by anyone. A local guide can be hired for one cold beer. The locals have been pretty friendly or at least not aggressive. Maybe I look scarey or something? There are at least two casinos in the area run by the Tohono O’odham nation. Lots of stuff to do if you get fossil burn-out. First timers are often found walking around town in a fossil overload daze.

The one thing you want to do as soon as possible is to pick up the free, yes free, Tucson Show Guide. This publication is available at most of the show venues (sometimes at the airport) and is very helpful in finding the free show shuttle and where most, if not all, of the shows/hotels are located. I think it can be ordered before the show starts but you will probably have to pay for it. Here is the site http://www.colored-stone.com/tsg/show_index.cfm The guide is magazine size and usually about 3/4 inch thick. You can get dealer and location information from this site, just scroll down and look for the fossil shows. If you have time look through some of the non-fossil shows to see if any fossil dealers are hidden away.

If you have ever wanted to go to the Tucson show you owe it to yourself to make the trip. If nothing else, it may be the biggest fossil exhibit you ever see. If you go you should definitely take a camera with you. Have fun, find some goodies for your collection, and beware of Moroccan fossils that you are not very familiar with. I would suggest taking a portable UV lamp for Moroccan fossil shopping. One more thing, some dealers will trade for (or buy) your fossils. If that sounds good to you take some stuff to trade or at least pics of what you have available.

If you made it this far without falling asleep I congratulate you. Sorry to go on and on but I only brushed the surface of the Tucson shows. There will be dealers and buyers from all over the planet at the show. I hope you get a chance to go.

I hope this was usefull information and not just an exercise to cramp up my typing finger.

[TheFossilHunter]

I have been to the show several times and I usually stay for a week or so. If you are looking for rare, unusual, or "best of" material you will want to get there the day before the show opens (or earlier) and see the early openers. The fossils are concentrated in two or three areas, but there are many smaller fossil dealers that are unable to get into the main fossil show hotels so they may be set up in a "mineral" hotel or one of the tent areas. The weather is usually wonderful if you're coming from a cold area. Temps during the day can be in the 60 to 70 degree F and drop to 30 to 40 at night. The show coincides with the ripening of citrus fruit and there are many trees at the hotels. Some of the fruit is great by itself and some is better as juice in a refreshing alcoholic beverage. Lodging can be expensive during the show. It is the time of year that hotels make a good bit of their income so show rates can be triple or more of non-show rates. The farther from the shows you go the cheaper the hotels. Luckily, I know a few people in Tucson that I can stay with so my fossil dollars are spent on fossils and not hotels.

The Tucson airport is easy to get in and out of and when you leave town the airport personel don't freak out when you have six inch meg teeth in your carry-on luggage. The crew at Phoenix are not as understanding. I 10 has been under construction for a couple of years and has made travel through Tucson a bit irritating. Get a city map as soon as you can and stick to the access roads as much as possible during rush hour. One of the main fossil hotels is between the interstate and A Mountain on the access road. There are many attractions in the area and the closest to the shows is Sentinal Peak Park AKA "A Mountain". The local college has a large A on the hill and they keep it whitewashed. It can be seen from a good portion of the city and I often use it as a navigational landmark. Nogales, Mexico is about an hour away and relatively safe during the day. I have been there several times and I have never been bothered by anyone. A local guide can be hired for one cold beer. The locals have been pretty friendly or at least not aggressive. Maybe I look scarey or something? There are at least two casinos in the area run by the Tohono O’odham nation. Lots of stuff to do if you get fossil burn-out. First timers are often found walking around town in a fossil overload daze.

The one thing you want to do as soon as possible is to pick up the free, yes free, Tucson Show Guide. This publication is available at most of the show venues (sometimes at the airport) and is very helpful in finding the free show shuttle and where most, if not all, of the shows/hotels are located. I think it can be ordered before the show starts but you will probably have to pay for it. Here is the site http://www.colored-stone.com/tsg/show_index.cfm The guide is magazine size and usually about 3/4 inch thick. You can get dealer and location information from this site, just scroll down and look for the fossil shows. If you have time look through some of the non-fossil shows to see if any fossil dealers are hidden away.

If you have ever wanted to go to the Tucson show you owe it to yourself to make the trip. If nothing else, it may be the biggest fossil exhibit you ever see. If you go you should definitely take a camera with you. Have fun, find some goodies for your collection, and beware of Moroccan fossils that you are not very familiar with. I would suggest taking a portable UV lamp for Moroccan fossil shopping. One more thing, some dealers will trade for (or buy) your fossils. If that sounds good to you take some stuff to trade or at least pics of what you have available.

If you made it this far without falling asleep I congratulate you. Sorry to go on and on but I only brushed the surface of the Tucson shows. There will be dealers and buyers from all over the planet at the show. I hope you get a chance to go.

I hope this was usefull information and not just an exercise to cramp up my typing finger.

Thank you so much Paleoron. Yes this is great very helpful info. I will probably go the 1st few days of the show as soon as i have my vacation confirmed. I will have to fly to Phoenix though. Thanks again for sharing the knowledge. I can't wait to go - I think I 'll be hauling back home bags and bags full of rocks! If anyone else is going the first few days, please let me know