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(South of the main tent structures. There's lots to see here.)
2008 Best Overall Public Show (Click here to learn why Arizona Bead Dog named this 2008's best public show.)
Where: 2500 E. Ajo, in the Kino Sports Complex, east of the Kino Parkway on Ajo, west of Country Club.
2009 update: The same robust show it was last year, with more visitors than some of the buyer-only shows Arizona Bead Dog has visitied this year. Something for everyone here, like Himalyan Salt products ($5 will buy you a pound of the salt for cooking, much healthier than regular salt that's been stripped of all other minerals), more clothing vendors, lots of great rocks, and lots of beads.
What: This show always gets mixed reviews from Arizona Bead Dog’s friends. In 2008, the show came together well, with about 150 different vendors. There are well-priced items, whether beads or decorations. It’s a comfortable mish-mash of items, and there’s no central theme. This allows for a variety of vendors: beads, finished jewelry, decorations, clothing, stone ware, large and small stone carvings, purses, belts, fossils, animal hides, steer skulls, mineral specimens, Native American, bags of tumbled gem stones, beach glass jewelry, and many other trinket items. A good place to take the kids and do your gift shopping.
Inside
or Out: It’s about half-and-half with respect to cover from the weather, and to get from one covered vendor to the next requires walking on gravelled grounds exposed to the elements. While there are definitely bargains here, there’s also higher prices on bead strands than elsewhere (although this isn’t universally true). If you’re looking for bead-strand bargains as a member of the public, explore the Frontage Road vendors, too.
Tip: Some of the vendors continually put new items out for sale as the Show progresses. So what seems barren the first day is full three days later. This is also a show where some minor amount of negotiating might be done, especially if you have cash and want to buy more than one item, but it depends on the vendor.
(One of the popular vendors' tents at the TEP Show.)
Parking: Ample. If you’re feet are already tired from another Show venue, the lot seems much further from the vendors than it actually is. On the weekends, you might want to park in the RV Park show's lot (see review below).
Food: Several food vendors offer bites to eat. Usually something for every taste in the family.
Restrooms: Portable, set out all around the show.
2011 show
dates: Typically open the entire length of the show, which runs from the last weekend in January through the second weekend in February. For 2011, the show is opens Wednesday, January 30th and goes through Sunday, February 13th.
Show hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2009 Shuttle routes: Copper/Amber
For more information: Visit www.TucsonElectricParkGemShow.com.
TEP RV Park Show
 
(2008 photos: left, Art McCollum's booth; right, Naturals from the Earth (that's Fred, one of the owners, in the photo. Both with permission.)
Where: Just east of TEP's show.
What: All sorts of mineral specimens, jewelry, wood lamp bases, bookends, fossils, obsidian, rough rocks for tumbling, opals, and many other items. The people here are friendly and their outdoor displays are easy to shop. Looked like about 40 vendors, more or less. Prices were competitive. One RV vendor offered free cutting lessons, while another created a free flourescent rock display (kids and adults will love it)--it's very dark inside. The area is dog friendly (bring something to pick up after your dog), but TEP is not, so plan accordingly.
Inside or Out: Outside.
Parking: Ample; dirt with dried hay or grass cover.
Food: The RV Park has a food court that includes BBQ (Floyd's Blues and BBQ).
Restrooms: Arizona Bead Dog did not notice any.
2011 show dates: Sunday, J anuary 30th through Sunday, February 13th.
2009 Show hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2009 Shuttle routes: Copper/Amber
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