05/13/2026
Don't miss this special and exciting FREE public event! This Saturday, the Pinal Geology and Mineral Museum will host its 2nd Annual Arizona Fossil Fest that will feature fossil experts that will share their fossils and their stories with our guests.
Our presenters include:
John Christian--John holds a degree in Geology and has enjoyed a lifelong interest in fossils, minerals, and rocks. He is a member of the Dallas Paleontological Society, the Mineralogical Society of Arizona, and the Southwest Paleontological Society. He has discovered many new to Arizona Paleozoic fossil sponges and has likely discovered entirely new species. He kindly donated a fabulous cut and polished stromatolite fossil that is on display in our main gallery.
Fred Croxen--Fred has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Geology from Northern Arizona University and was Professor of Geosciences at Arizona Western College for more than 45 years. He has a special interest in Pliocene-Paleocene vertebrates of Sonora, Mexico that include camels, ground sloths, giant anteaters, cheetahs, and hyenas, etc.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394015610_Geology_and_paleontology_of_the_early-middle_Pleistocene_El_Golfo_beds_Sonora_Mexico-A_field_guide
Ben Goode--Ben returns as an astute and very busy condrichthyan researcher associated with Mesa Community College and the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Condrichthyans are a class of jawed fish whose skeleton is composed primarily of cartilage. He is an avid fossil shark researcher and collector.
https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.onpointfossils.com/
Tom Olson--Tom has a degree from Northern Arizona University, worked at Petrified Forest National Park and has loved fossils virtually his entire life. His rare fossil finds (including new species!) have been published in 18 scientific journals and he has had research projects with Fossil Butte National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, Museum of Northern Arizona University, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, and Northern Arizona University. He has also developed a class for kids called Arizona Geology for Kids that he's continued for very many years.
https://www.facebook.com/BensonGeo4Kidz/about
Jackie Peel--Jackie earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M and studied geology and horticulture. She has has a lifelong interrest in geology and plants. She is a Master Gardener which naturally blends into her love of fossil plants. She will have fossil plants on display from her worldwide collection. She especially enjoys collecting fossil plants across the western USA. Jackie is a member of several plant and rockhounding societies.
In addition, the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Southwest Paleontological Society will have tables in our large gallery.
https://www.azmnh.org/
https://swpaleosociety.com/
Please note that the museum has numerous fossils on display and also is home to our popular Allosaurus and Dilophosaurus dinosaur models. We have restocked the gift shop and added new specimens to our displays. And we will have some homemade baked goodies and cold bottled water for all to enjoy at no charge.
Many thanks to Ben, Fred, Jackie, John, and Tom for participating in their passion of Natural History!
See you on Saturday!!
PLEASE NOTE! Do not confuse our Wednesday, May 20 talk by Susan Celestian on The Biology of Trilobites with the Arizona Fossil Fest this Saturday--these are totally different events. The promo for Sue's talk is pinned at the bottom.
