More than 50 vendors selling everything from rare mineral specimens to handmade gemstone jewelry will fill the Mountain America Expo Center on Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, when the Crystal Festival returns to Sandy.

Admission and parking are both free.

The show runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days at 9575 S. State St., according to a Sandy Journal event listing.

Organizer Adrienne McElwain, who runs the traveling show series Crystal Barista, stages more than 19 rock-and-gem festivals a year across Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Nevada. The Sandy stop is billed by organizers as one of Utah's largest such events.

Vendors include mine owners, mineral and fossil dealers, lapidary artists, authors and local creators. Shoppers can expect gemstones, cabochons, fossils, jewelry, metaphysical tools and unique gifts spread across the expo hall. The Crystal Festival's website recommends planning about six hours to see the whole show.

Kids' programming

A $10 Kids Geology Scavenger Hunt sends children on a clue-following adventure to identify geological treasures and learn about rocks, minerals and fossils. Reservations can be made at crystalbarista.com.

The Kid's Corner offers additional hands-on activities: a microscope lab for examining specimens up close, gemstone bracelet-making, tumbled stone collecting and interactive educational displays covering how rocks, minerals and gemstones form.

If you go

• What: Crystal Festival — Rock, Mineral, Gem, Crystal and Fossil Show
• When: Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Where: Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy
• Cost: Free admission, free parking (tell parking attendants you're attending the Crystal Festival)
• Kids: Geology Scavenger Hunt, $10; Kid's Corner activities included
• Info: CrystalFestival.com or 801-989-6926

Upcoming in Sandy

• Wednesday, Aug. 26: UTA fare increase public hearing affecting Sandy TRAX riders
• Aug. 29–30: Crystal Festival at Mountain America Expo Center (free)