What is the Boulder Beauty Contest? This event uses a beauty pageant format to highlight the presence of Canadian rocks
FAQ & Rules
Boulder Beauty Contest Become ecstatic over erratics by competing in the Boulder Beauty Contest, the culmination of Glacial Glee with Ice Age Gee-ology on Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center. What is the Boulder Beauty Contest? This event uses a beauty pageant format to highlight the presence of Canadian rocks (erratics) left behind by the melted Wisconsin glacier that invaded Ohio some 25,000 years ago and retreated about 15,000 years ago, and highlights the beauty and character of these “first Canadian imports.” How do I enter? Hunt up a cobble to enter in the contest! Then bring your entry to the Glacial Glee program. If you're unable to attend, feel free to drop off your rock ahead of time at The West Woods Nature Center; entry forms will be available there. How does a rock win? A panel of naturalists and geologists will serve as judges to award first, second, third place, as well as honorable mention, ribbons in the following categories: * Most Unusual Shape * Highest Mineral Content * Roundest * Most Striking Feature * Heaviest For Its Size * Most Colorful Rocks will be posed in sitting, standing and reclining positions. Where do I find rocks to enter? Cobbles are exposed in road cuts, stream banks, stream beds, gravel pits, and in or at the edge of farm fields. How big? Despite the name, entries are to be cobbles or small boulders that range from tennis ball to basketball in size. Rules 1. Rocks must be found, not purchased. 2. Rocks must be found in Ohio. 3. Rocks gathered from private property (including residential, industrial, commercial, institutional) must be obtained with the property owner’s permission. 4. Rocks found in Geauga Park District must be returned to the location where they were found afterwards. 5. Rocks may not be gathered from any other park, preserve or lands with public access without permission of managing agency or institution (i.e. Holden Arboretum, Punderson State Park, Nature Conservancy lands, or city, village and township parks). 6. Rocks must be igneous or metamorphic – no sedimentary sandstones, conglomerates, limestones or shales. Of you’re unsure of your entry’s geologic "pedigree," send a photo to the email address below. 7. Rocks must be range from tennis ball to basketball in size. 8. Limit of three (3) rocks per entrant. 9. Rocks are judged by natural beauty and character. Entries embellished with clothing, sunglasses, makeup, paint, jewelry or other ornamentation will be disqualified. Questions? Contact the Naturalist Dan Best at
[email protected].
Entry Form
Boulder Beauty Contest Limit of three (3) rocks per entrant.
Entrant’s name (person, not rock): _______________________________________ ____ adult ____ child
child’s age: ____
Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________________________________ Email address: _______________________________________________________ ____ Please sign me up for GPD's twice-a-month eNewsletter.
Location of find (city or township, county):
Found in/on: ____ bare ground ____ woodland ____ parking area ____ farm field ____ gravel quarry ____ stream bed ____ stream bank ____ other: ___________________________________________ Qualifications met (check all that apply): ____ fits tennis ball to basketball size range ____ igneous or metamorphic rock ____ found, not purchased ____ found in Ohio ____ entered in all-natural condition: clean and not painted, clothed, wrapped or otherwise embellished. ____ collected with the permission of a: - private property owner - park, museum or preserve manager Note: Cobbles collected in Geauga Park District do not require permission, but must be returned to the location where they were found after the contest. Geauga Park District staff/volunteer accepting entry: _________________________________
