Magic Conventions
Magic Conventions happen annually. The one that I love to attend is called the 4F convention. That stands for Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic. The original idea of holding a close-up magic convention was the brainchild of Eddie Fechter, Bill Okal, and Obie O’Brien.
After a weekend where a group of magicians came to visit Eddie in Buffalo, New York. He, Bill, and Obie spoke about how it would be nice if they could hold a formal gathering of close-up magicians.
Eddie agreed to volunteer his bar if Obie and Bill did all the work. Obie sent out around forty handwritten invitations and around 26 magicians arrived on the last weekend in April 1971.
As soon as word got out about the by-invitation-only event every well-known close-up magician in the world wanted to attend.
Early on Bill Okal moved to California to pursue a successful career as a close-up magician and in 1979 Eddie Fechter passed away. Obie continued to run the convention for its first 49 years until he passed away in 2021.
After the Forks Hotel closed, the convention moved to several locations and hotels allowing it to grow from the original gathering of 20+ magicians to around 225-250 attendees.
Performing at Magic Conventions
Every attendee needs to perform at the magic convention. Diplomas are handed out for the first three times a magician performs for his or her peers. The photo above was from my second time. Even though it is tough performing for other magicians, I always have fun knowing that my creations are really well received.
Saturday Night Magic Convention Banquet
At the end of the magic convention, a large banquet is held where all the magicians get together and talk about all the magic we’ve enjoyed over the 4 days. As the convention only allows 200-225 magicians to attend, over the years I’ve gotten to know many of the magicians that gather from all over the world.
Magic Conventions Friends
Below are some of the friends that I’ve made over the years of attending the convention. We are all great performers who share a love of magic. When we have a meal together, there are lots of great conversations about magic and life in general. We also have some jokes and stories that only other magicians can appreciate. Magicians are generally secretive, but when we are together there is great camaraderie and exchange of ideas. That’s what keeps me coming back, year after year!
