Did you know the state fossil of Massachusetts is fossilized dinosaur tracks? Wait — did you even know that Massachusetts had a state fossil?

National Fossil Day is coming up, so consider that new knowledge a kick-off to the fossil festivities. And next Thursday, head to Oak Bluffs for a fossil celebration any paleontologist would envy. Last year, about 230 people came to the event, and this year will likely be just as popular.

The annual celebration is led by Dr. Fred Hotchkiss, who runs the Marine and Paleobiological Research Institute out of Vineyard Haven. Fossil Fred has gathered an impressive group of experts who will be on hand: fossil hunter and ophthalmologist Dr. Henry Kriegstein (who has a Triceratops fossil in his house), Harvard paleontologist Jessica Cundiff, and budding fossil experts and grade schoolers Jacob and Sam Gurney will join an impressive mix of geological oceanographers, radiocarbon dating researchers, diving instructors, collectors, archaeologists and other scientists. The event is partially supported through grants from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council and the Staples Educational Foundation.

Fossil Day is a drop-in and mingle event. Bring your own fossils to show others or learn more, or just come by to see what others bring. Don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with the jaw (complete with teeth) of a mosasaur, a marine reptile that went extinct abut 66 million years ago. And yes, a state fossil will be on display: a dinosaur footprint from Mount Tom in Holyoke.

The National Fossil Day celebration takes place on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs library. The free event is open to all ages, from seasoned fossil hunters to archaeologists in training.