Hundreds of rock hounds made their annual pilgrimage to Grand Marais on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10 for the 2023 Grand Marais Rock and Mineral Show. A record number of vendors were at the show, filling up the indoor venue floor and some of the outdoor space used for events like the Grand Marais Music and Crafts Festival.

The event is an annual celebration of the various agates, stones and Yooperlites found in the area, but more importantly, brings the rock hound community together.

“It was another great year of talking rocks and meeting old friends,” said Steven ‘Stove’ Makinen, one of the vendors and frequent members of the show. “We had a beautiful day with a lovely musician adding atmosphere and beautiful stones were found at the show and on the pristine beaches of Lake Superior. Can’t wait until next year.”

In most years, an informational lecture is given on Saturday night, the first night of the twoday festival. This year, the lecture did not happen, but a separate event was held at the Agatelady Rock Shop, which had changed locations since last year’s show.