By Margi Jenks

We hope that you will join us at the park for some fun and educational programs coming up in August.

John Huddleston Heritage Day—Saturday, August 3^rd, 1:00-3:00PM, Diamond Discovery Center Classroom, free and open to the public

Every year we celebrate the diamond mine and state park history with an afternoon of programs on a day near the date that John Huddleston found the first diamond, August 8^th.  This year’s keynote speaker is Rick Floyd, a member the Pike County Archives and History Society.  His topic is “Life in Pike County in the Early 1900’s”.  He will be speaking about the life style of Pike County’s citizens and businesses, including the orchard and the gypsum mine.  The rest of the program will be a living history presentation, An Invitation to Invest, as well as the story of the early diamond production companies.  Both of these programs will be presented by park staff members.

Back to School Hawiian Pool Party—Saturday, August 13^th, 6:30-9:00 PM, Diamonds Springs Water Park, usual admission prices

A great way to end the summer is attending the summer, 2013’s final pool party.   The water park will be transformed into a Hawaiian luau beach party. Come demonstrate your limbo skills, as well as your knowledge of Hawaiian trivia. Wear your gaudiest Hawaiian shirt or swimsuit and you might win our People’s Choice award.  We will have music, ending with a dance party of all your favorites, including YMCA and the Macarena.  For those with a sweet tooth, the refreshments will include brownies and ice cream.  Admission is only $4.00 for children under 42 inches tall, and $6.00 for people over 42” tall.

Visit with an Expert Diamond Miner—Saturday, August 17^th, 2:00-3:00 PM, Visitor Center theater, free and open to the public

Everyone is looking for that edge to help them find a big and beautiful diamond.  A great way to find that edge is our continuing series of presentations by our “regular” diamond miners.  They share their personal diamond mine stories as well as their methods for locating diamonds.  The presentation will be held in the Visitor Center theater and is free and open to the public.

Night Photography at the Park—Saturday, August 17^th, 7:00-9:30 PM, $20.00 per person

For the first time, the park is hosting a night photography workshop at the park on August 17^th, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM. Capturing digital images at night can be both challenging and fun.  Interpreter Waymon Cox will present a program on “how to do it”, and then class participants will try out their newly acquired skills.  Deadline to register is August 10.  Cost is $20 per person, including a $10 registration fee that must be paid by August 10. 

For more information on any of these programs, call Margi or Waymon at 870-285-3113 or email us at margaret.jenks@arkansas.gov or waymon.cox@arkansas.gov.  Also look for our regular daily programs on the events calendar feature of our website: www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com. 

Search area last plowed:  Different areas of the field are now plowed weekly  

Most recent rain: July 20 and 21

Total diamonds found in 2013: 320

Diamonds registered for July 14 - July 20, 2013 (100 points = 1 carat): 

July 14 - No diamonds were registered

July 15 - Sonny & Joanna Kinzer, Minden, NV, 1.06 carat yellow; Daryl Boyer, Murfreesboro, AR, 3 pt. yellow

July 16 and 17 - No diamonds were registered

July 18 - Kenneth Shoemaker, Murfreesboro, AR, 6 pt. brown

 July 19 - Grace Ann Conn, Mulberry, AR, 10 pt. yellow

July 20 - Kenneth Shoemaker, Murfreesboro, AR, 2 pt. white