The Aurora Fossil Museum and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce are partnering to plan the 23^rd annual Aurora Fossil Festival and are seeking volunteers to help make the event possible.

Currently, scheduling for the event set for May 27-29 resembles that of past festivals, according to Gail Phelps, Aurora/Richland Chamber of Commerce director and chairperson for the festival planning committee. The event draws between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees annually, Phelps said.

“It’s a big boost for the community,” Phelps said. “It’s a good chance to show off Aurora and show off the things we have and can do. I am looking forward to a bigger and better festival, as always. I enjoy meeting all the new people that come to the festival. We’ve got a great team, made up of volunteer community members and Chamber members, planning the festival.”

Among the scheduled events fro this year’s festival are a Confederate solider encampment, an annual lawnmower pull, amusement rides for children and adults, a parade, which includes around 60 different representatives from local organizations, live entertainment and much more, according to Phelps.

The Aurora Fossil Museum, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, will have an education tent, featuring local nonprofits and organizations, set up on the festival grounds, according to Cynthia Crane, the museum’s director.

Three guest speakers are scheduled to give educational presentations: a professor from the College of Charleston will speak about ancient whales; Vince Snyder of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will speak about the N.C. Triassic Period; and Dr. Alex Hastings of the Virginia Museum of Natural History will speak about Titaniboa, a giant boa constrictor.

An auction will be held, as well as a raffle for a 6.75-inch Megalodon tooth, with proceeds going to the museum, making it possible for its continued free admission for residents and out-of-towners alike, Crane said.

The museum will be open during the festival and showcasing its collection of fossils and other exhibits, according to Crane. Educational opportunities, which will include presentations and exhibits from universities and fossil organizations from in and outside of North Carolina, is a very important aspect of the festival, Crane said.

“(The speakers) are an integral component of the museum aspect of the festival,” Crane said. “The festival is a huge event for not only the museum, but also the town of Aurora. It brings people together because of its unique nature. It has a little bit to offer everybody. So you can come out and spend the day in Aurora and learn about fossils and paleontology, but also listen to great music, eat great food and there are a variety of activities and booths. I really honestly haven’t heard any negative comments about (the festival). It’s a little bit of small town charm on a bigger scale. It’s really good for the museum. It allows people to see the museum and interact with people who love fossils, the thrill of discovering fossils and love to share that with people. It’s a great event. I just encourage everyone to make plans to come out and enjoy us for the day.”

For more information, visit aurorafossilmuseum.org, facebook.com/aurorafossilmuseum or call the museum at 252-322-4238.