MINERAL TAILGATES
What is a NEMA MINERAL Tailgate?
A NEMA Mineral Tailgate is a family-friendly outdoor event focused on minerals and the people who love them. Entry to the event and on-site parking are both FREE to participants. Explore various vendors’ booths featuring mineral specimens, bring your family to enjoy an expanded area for kid’s activities, and take a non-collecting tour of the Havey Mine to learn more about its history and geology. Food for purchase (hot dogs, chips, beverages) is available on-site. Enjoy rock talk with enthusiasts, miners, collectors, and geologists who are excited to share their passion for the mineral world.
‘Gneiss Rocks and Fall Vibes’ at NEMA’s Annual Fall Mineral Tailgate Sale 2025
Saturday, September 13, 2025
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Calling for VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS!
Rain date: typically the next day, but follow us on Facebook or join our email list for announcements.
Join us at the Havey Quarry (Levine Road, Poland, Maine) for NEMA’s Annual Fall Mineral Tailgate Sale. This NEMA event will be held at the Havey Quarry property at 34 Levine Road, Poland, Maine.
Along with visiting vendors, enjoy expanded activities area for kids, take a non-collecting tour of the mine, and nosh on hot dogs at the “cafe.” You’ll be able to talk with miners, collectors, and geologists about their work and passion of minerals/geology.
IMPORTANT SCAM WARNING FOR DEALERS – scroll down to learn more!
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum often brings a piece of the moon (and sometimes Mars!) to touch and take selfies with!
Entry to the mineral tailgate is free, and plenty of free parking is available on site! More in the “General Information” section below.
Beneath the photo gallery on this page – you’ll find more information regarding vendors and volunteers (and a special opportunity for volunteers who give four hours or more at an event).
NEMA’s Annual Spring into Summer Mineral Tailgate Sale 2026
Save the Date! TBA
Calling for VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS – scroll down below the photo gallery for more information.
MINERAL TAILGATE PHOTO GALLERY
General Mineral Tailgate Information
The event goes from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
A few things to know:
- Non-collecting mine tours of the Havey will run at the top of each hour from 10:00 AM through 3:00 PM. Be sure to meet a few minutes before the top of each hour by the large NEMA “MEET HERE” sign in the cul-de-sac to line up before your group sets out.
- Food for purchase will be available throughout the day, including hot dogs, chips, and cold drinks—an easy and tasty option to refuel while you explore the site.
- Enjoy a family friendly, expanded kids’ activity area with sluicing screens and engaging hands-on activities to spark curiosity about minerals. Generous donors have contributed small specimens so kids can take home real treasures they uncover themselves.
- Free on-site parking is available for all attendees, just a short walk from the event area. As always, both parking and entry to the event are completely free—no tickets, passes, or fees needed.
- Rain Date typically occurs the following day. Stay updated on rain dates via our Facebook page.
Pictured: Lunar and Martian meteorite specimens on display during a past NEMA mineral tailgate event, courtesy of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Photo by Alice Wack.
VOLUNTEERS
NEMA is calling for volunteers for this event! As a benefit to those that volunteer for FOUR or more hours, we’ll invite you to the private Volunteer Dine & Dig to be held on a date to be determined. Photos from a recent ‘Dine & Dig’ can be found below. If you’d like to volunteer for this or other NEMA events, please contact Jan at nemineralinfo@gmail.com.
“But I can’t make it to this one….” “I can’t vend this one…” or “I want more mineral tailgate fun!” Send us a note using the email in the previous paragraph if you would like to receive information about volunteering at future NEMA events.
DEALERS/VENDORS
If you’d like to participate as a vendor at an upcoming mineral tailgate, please contact Jeff at jmorris7@maine.rr.com or by calling him at 207.232.4973 to learn more. (You must sign up with Jeff to vend at any mineral tailgate!)
VENDOR SCAM ALERT! If anyone other than Jeff or Jan posts ANYWHERE (but especially on Facebook, even on NEMA’s FaceBook page in the comments) … that “we are still accepting vendors and to send all your info and a payment” to them, know that she/he/they/it is a scammer and/or a bot. This type of scam is very common for any event calling for vendors (craft shows, farmer’s markets, etc.) The scammer will try to get you to send them a check or other form of payment, which is crazy because we don’t charge money for vendor spaces. We ask for donations on site once you’re there that will go toward our conference auctions, or you can give us money if you’d prefer. But, we do this AT the Mineral Tailgate. It is also likely this/these scammer(s) will pop up in another persona – it’s a frequent problem. The ONLY way to vend at NEMA events (conference, tailgates, etc) is to contact Jeff (or our stated delegate) directly. Do not be fooled! Please e-mail or call Jan ASAP at nemineralinfo@gmail.com and she will work to manage it.
Stay up to date!
To stay informed of upcoming events, follow us on FaceBook, and join our email list.
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VOLUNTEERS’ DINE & DIG
Photos from a past dine-and-dig event only for volunteers
