BY SONJA DRINKWATER
Special to the AV News
Hundreds of people flocked to the Alberni Athletic Hall for the 65th annual Alberni Valley Rock and Gem Show, March 11-12.
Attendance was up from 2022 with a total of 1,874 attending over the two days. One of the local regulars, Karl Maldaner, changed from being a part of the show faceting gems to being a part of the security of the event. Maldaner has been a part of this show for the past 53 years.
Another show regular, artist Shelley Penner, has been a part of this Alberni Valley tradition for 30-plus years. Penner is known for painting scenes of wildlife on rocks.