The Whidbey Pebble Pushers are tumbling down to the South End this weekend for a rock and gem show and sale.

The free event will feature a wide variety of displays, including individual collections, large collective displays and a fossil display gathered by a paleontologist.

A wide variety of minerals from the Pacific Northwest and around the world will be featured, as well as crystals in both rough and faceted form.

New and attractive creations made out of rock, such as rock critters, polished stones, butterflies and whirley gigs will be for sale, as well as a number of items at a silent auction.

Rock and gem dealers and jewelers will be holding demonstrations during the show.

Whidbey Pebble Pusher Bob Jimenez said the event will not only be an interesting display of specimens, it will also be a good time to purchase gifts for friends and loved ones.

“Rocks, jewelry and finished stones make wonderful presents,” Jimenez said.

The rock collector pointed out that the items for sale can be used not only as jewelry, but also as decorations in gardens and fish tanks.

“The water makes the rocks more brilliant – shiny and big,” Jimenez said.

Customer purchases will support a good cause.

Profits from the sale go to a college scholarship at Western Washington University that will be given to a deserving earth science student.

Earlier this year, the Pebble Pushers held a sale on the north end of the island. But the sale was held the same day as a terrible storm.

“We had a disastrous weekend,” Jimenez said. “We didn’t make enough money for our scholarship fund.”

So at the request of many people on the South End, the Whidbey Pebble Pushers and the Gem and Mineral Society of South Whidbey Island decided to host an event on the South End as well.

They hope the event will become a yearly tradition.

The Pebble Pushers have attracted members of all ages from all areas of the island. Some Pebble Pushers make rock collecting a family affair.

Father/son rock collecting team Jeff and Walker Landel enjoy rock collecting during family outings, and on Pebble Pushers’ field trips, too.

Walker, the young rock collector, has enjoyed collecting rocks for years. He said it’s something he can see himself doing for the rest of his life.

Evidence of Walker’s hobby is easily found at the Landel house.

“He took over all of our antique cabinets,” Jeff Landel said.

Pebble Pusher Jimenez has no doubt Walker will stick with his hobby. Jimenez has been a rock collector since he was a young man himself.

“It’s a lifetime activity,” Jimenez said.