Fossil Fest’s 34th Anniversary ~ Your Passport to the Past

Step into the world of ancient wonders as Fossil Fest returns on its 34th year, November 2-3, 2024, inside the Old Settler’s Heritage Association in Round Rock, Texas. This year promises to be the most exciting show yet, packed with amazing activities, thrilling discoveries, and unforgettable experiences. (Show details and directions here.)

At the 2024 Fossil Fest, hourly prizes are up for grabs, and three Grand Door Prizes take center stage: A replica pygmy mammoth femur, a striking carving of a mammoth on a fossilized mammoth bone stand, and the First Prize—an awe-inspiring Stegodon tooth and jaw! This enormous fossil, over a foot wide, belonged to a massive relative of modern elephants that once roamed the plains of Indonesia during the Pleistocene era. 

Got a fossil of your own? Don’t forget to BYOF (Bring Your Own Fossil)! Experts will be on hand to identify any specimens that attendees bring in, making this event an interactive adventure in fossil discovery.

For young explorers, there’s an exciting “Paleo Passport” scavenger hunt, where students can journey back in time to the Ice Age. Imagine this: towering mammoths, giant tortoises roaming the ancient deltas of the Rio Grande, and saber-toothed cats prowling the South Texas plains. Complete your Paleo Passport and start your own fossil collection with prizes like fossils from the “Wheel of Fossils” or “Fossil Darts.”

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Fossil Fest is the perfect place to get a head start on holiday shopping. Vendors will be offering an eclectic mix of fossils, books, art, jewelry, toys, and other unique items. 

Fossil Fest isn’t just about collecting—it’s a hands-on, educational experience designed for the whole family. The festival shines a spotlight on kids and learning, featuring an interactive touch table where curious minds can get up close and personal with fossils. Children (and adults) are invited to touch, examine, and immerse themselves in pieces of the prehistoric world, unlocking the secrets of what makes fossils so extraordinary.

The event also hosts informative talks for schools and scout groups, and teachers can pick up specialized kits with Texas fossils for their classrooms.

As a non-profit event, all proceeds from Fossil Fest go toward educational initiatives, including donations to local institutions like the Texas Science and Natural History Museum; the Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections and Non-vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory, both housed in the Jackson School Museum of Earth History at the University of Texas at Austin; and supporting paleontology graduate students at UT-Austin.

This festival is a labor of love, organized by passionate members of the Paleontological Society of Austin—a group of volunteers devoted to advancing the science of fossils and educating the public. Their mission? To foster a love of paleontology, teach others about these relics of the past, and inspire the next generation of fossil enthusiasts. The diverse membership of the Society includes individuals from all walks of life—collectors, educators, scientists, and authors—each united by their shared passion with the mysteries of the prehistoric world.

The festival’s spotlight this year is “Pleistocene Mammals,” highlighting the creatures that roamed Earth during the Ice Age, with engaging presentations throughout the weekend. Hear from:

• Cindi Sirois Collins, author of Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Animals of Big Bend

• Paul Hammerschmidt, offering an “Intro to Fossils”

• Matt Harrell, sharing insights on uncovering a mammoth

After experiencing all that Fossil Fest has to offer, treat yourself or the family to some legendary BBQ at The Salt Lick next door, or make a weekend of it by visiting The Kalahari Resort and Indoor Water Park, just across the street.

Click here for show hours, contact info, cost of admission, and a Google map with directions to Fossil Fest.