What is Quartzsite?
Quartzsite is located in western Arizona, 20 miles east of the Colorado River on I-10.
Major gem and mineral shows as well as vendors of raw and handcrafted merchandise peddle their wares to snowbirds, collectors, and enthusiasts, making Quartzsite the place to be the first two months of each year. Numerous food choices ensure you'll never go hungry! © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
In 1856, settler Charles Tyson built a fort at the present site of Quartzsite to protect his water supply. Fort Tyson soon became a stopover on the Ehrenburg-to-Prescott stagecoach route. It had become known as Tyson’s Wells by the time the stage stopped running and the town was abandoned.
Quartzsite has been a rockhounders’ paradise since the 1960s.
Today, it is also attracts over a million visitors each winter who converge on this small town of 1900 people in a wave of RVs during the months of January and February when 2,000 vendors of rocks, gems, minerals, fossils, and everything else imaginable create one of the world’s largest open air flea markets.
Major gem and mineral shows as well as vendors of raw and handcrafted merchandise peddle their wares to snowbirds, collectors, and enthusiasts, making Quartzsite the place to be the first two months of each year.
Tyson Wells Show History
Tyson Wells began with an open lot where an RV Park was developed; the Sell-A-Rama Show started in 1978.
Soon Tyson Wells became known as a leading Rock & Gem Show in the United States. Later, additional land was acquired for more parking, and two more shows—Rock & Gem Show and Art & Craft Fair—were added.
Tyson Wells has something for everyone with the three shows in January and February, seasonal vendors, self-storage units, and an RV Park.
Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
Tyson Wells has something for everyone with the three shows in January and February, seasonal vendors, self-storage units, and an RV Park. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
The Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show attracts rock, gem, and mineral vendors from around the world and runs for 10 days in early January.
Dates for the Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show are January 6-15, 2012.
Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama
The Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama show occurs in late January and also runs for 10 days. The Sell-A-Rama has over 850 vendor spaces which equals roughly 2.2 miles of aisle frontage. You can find just about anything at this 25-acre show.
Dates for the 34th Annual Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama are January 20-29, 2012.
Tyson Wells Art & Craft Fair
The indoor Tyson Wells Art & Craft Fair takes place early February each year. One can find arts, crafts, hobbies supplies, jewelry, and lapidary supplies.
Dates for the Tyson Wells Arts & Crafts Fair are February 3-12, 2012.
2012 Quartzsite Show Dates
You won’t want to miss the 2012 Quartzsite Shows!
January 1-February 28, 2012: Desert Gardens -Gem & Mineral
January 6-January 15, 2012: Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
January 7-January 22, 2012: Main Event
January 20-January 29, 2012: Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama
January 21-January 29, 2012: Sports, Vacation & RV Show
February 1-February 5, 2012: Hobby Craft & Gem Show
February 3-February 12, 2012: Tyson Wells Arts & Craft Fair
February 4-February 5, 2012: Rock & Roll Car Show
March 3, 2012: Chili Cook-Off & State Salsa Championship
This is one of two posts on Quartzsite 2012 Show Dates:
Quartzsite 2012 RV Show Dates Announced
Worth Pondering…
Nowhere on earth will you find such an assortment of “stuff” as you will at Quartzsite from mid-December to mid-February. As the saying goes, “If you can’t find it in Quartzsite, you won’t find it anywhere.”
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If you enjoy these articles and want to read more on RV travels and lifestyle, visit my website: Vogel Talks RVing.