“Alabama Fossil Fest”, hosted by the Alabama Museum of Natural History (ALMNH) and UA Museums’ Department of Museum Research and Collections, is a free and perfect opportunity to explore paleontology!
Visit Smith Hall on The University of Alabama campus on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. for a tabling event, the Alabama Avocational Paleontologist Award presentation, exciting talks by Drs. Ron Buta and David Schwimmer, a new exhibit unveiling, and hands-on learning spanning 500 million years of Alabama’s past. Paleontologists from around the state will have wonderful items on display, plus the ALMNH will be facilitating educational programming suitable for all ages.
Schedule
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tabling Event (Grand Gallery)
This is the popular annual tabling event at the Alabama Museum of Natural History. As crocodilians are the theme of this event, more crocodilian fossils than usual will be present on the tables. However, such remains are rare in Alabama, so most fossils will be from other organisms, some of which have never been shown to the public. Check out the newest fossil discoveries at the tables of the Department of Museum Research and Collections and receive one free fossil there. There are also various educational fossil activities for all ages.
2:00 p.m.
New Exhibit Unveiling (Grand Gallery)
Come and see a brand-new fossil exhibit that the museum staff has prepared recently. While we won’t disclose what it is until the unveiling, it will feature a large, ancient predator from Alabama’s past that many people will get excited about!
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Presentations (back-to-back in Smith Hall Room 205 next to the Grand Gallery). Note the Grand Gallery will be closed from 3:00 p.m. onwards.
• 2025 Alabama Avocational Paleontologist Award presentation
• Short book presentation by Dr. Ron Buta about coal-age fossils from Alabama’s Crescent Valley Mine
• Keynote talk about fossil crocodilians by Dr. David Schwimmer + question and answer session
Parking on The University of Alabama campus on Saturday is free! Parking spots are available on the east side of Smith Hall (entrance only via Hackberry Lane), next to the Math and Science Education Building and next to Lloyd Hall. Check out UA’s online map of campus for more parking options.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this event, contact Kristin Harrell (Education Outreach Coordinator, Alabama Museum of Natural History) by calling 205-348-6383 or emailing
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Also check out other Festivals in Tuscaloosa.
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