Rockhana is going "full steam ahead" for this weekend in Cloncurry.
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North West Queensland's premier gem festival is set to draw the crowds to Mary Kathleen Park to enjoy the best in minerals and gems in the region.
It will be the 16th annual Rockhana gem and mineral festival with the added precautions necessary to comply with COVID-19 such social distancing and mandatory check in via the Queensland Covid app with a limit of how many people are on the grounds.
Rockhana secretary Margarete Cotter said that while the lockdown has affected some stallholders most are already in the region.
"They have been fossicking for the last week or two," Ms Cotter said.
"We'll have half as many stalls as last time but there are a lot of tourists around."
The official opening will be at 10am Friday with gem stalls where you can buy precious stones and food outlets available Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
There will be lucky draw prizes, raffles, lapidary slab supplies and silversmith classes.
There will also be live music from the Memphis Moovers roving band.
The Rockhana festival has been a Cloncurry tradition since 1995 Festival when it raised awareness of the mineral collection at the Mary Kathleen Park and Unearthed Museum.
It has grown from strength to strength celebrating the rich fossicking tradition and the mineral wealth of the region with opals and other semi-precious stones on display.
Patrons can buy gems, lapidary equipment and learn how to cut, polish and set stones, with free entertainment and food and drink purchases also offered.
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