The Colon Magic Festival is a popular and highly anticipated event held annually in the town of Colon, a small community located in the province of Entre Rios, Argentina. This charming festival celebrates the art of magic and showcases the talents of magicians from around the world. The festival takes place over several days and offers a wide range of activities for attendees of all ages. One of the highlights of the event is the breathtaking magic shows that are performed throughout the festival. These shows feature illusions, mind-reading, and other awe-inspiring tricks that leave the audience mesmerized. In addition to the magic shows, the festival also includes workshops and lectures where aspiring magicians can learn from the masters of the craft.

Fire eating and ventriloquism in the "Magic Capital of the World"

In southwest Michigan, just north of Sturgis, sits the small town of Colon. It’s a charming spot with bike trails, a cozy park, and a downtown spotted with family owned businesses and cafes.

But observant pedestrians might notice there’s something special about Colon. Read the plaque in the park or pay attention to the flags adorning downtown, and you will learn Colon’s other title: Magic Capital of the World.

The story behind this moniker is interesting, involving Australian Percy Abbott and famous American magician Harry Blackstone.

How Colon maintains its name, however, is far more compelling.

Every year, the town hosts Magic Week, a four-day festival featuring street performers, talent shows, lectures, and acts straight out of the old days of magic. Visitors can stroll from one building to the next, catching unique shows from long-time professionals as well as young up-and-comers.

Jay Blackwell has been performing professionally for 15 years, working in circuses and sideshows in nearly every state. Despite his love for the road, Blackwell said that he is happy where he is — right here in Colon.

"My favorite type of performance is in the theater," Blackwell explained. "This is where I really like to be."

At Blackwell's show, you might witness him attempt the bold tradition of fire eating, or perform the classic "disappearing ball" trick.

The Sterlini Theatre, where Blackwell performs, feels of another time. Were it not for the TVs providing close-ups of the act, the small, dark space could convince you this was a sideshow attraction in 1904.

Just down the street, 11-year-old Brynn Cummings is putting on a show, too. She does not have the experience Blackwell does, but she has been performing for nearly a third of her life.

"I've been doing [magic] for almost four years now, so it's been a long time," said Cummings.

Despite her young age, Cummings already gives the impression of a professional. Her specialty is ventriloquism and magic tricks, and has even given a local TED Talk about her love of the craft.

Magic Week attracts professionals and amateurs alike from all over the state, and, sometimes, the world.

Anton is from Berlin, Germany. While he did not fly to Michigan just to visit the festival, he did make sure to squeeze it into his last day in the U.S.

"I'm visiting family in Lansing, and I heard about this magic capital," Anton said. "I do a little bit of card magic, and so I made a point on the day before I fly home to stop by and take some of this in."

While Magic Week does its disappearing act after four days, Colon's commitment to its title as “Magic Capital of the World” persists.

"That's why we do shows here every weekend," Blackwell said. "If there's only two people that come in, we're going to do a show for those two people because we want them to see the magic. It's really important to us, and it means a lot."

Colon Magic Week

Legendary Chicago-born magician Harry Blackstone bought a farm in Colon, Michigan, in 1926. A few years later, fellow conjurer Percy Abbott visited Blackstone, decided he liked the look of the town, and founded Abbott’s Magic, now the world’s largest dealer in wands, hats, scarves, and other prestidigitory paraphernalia. Although it’s mainly a mail-order business, Abbott’s has a small showroom in town where the clerks will demonstrate magic tricks–but only once, because “twice is a lesson.” Colon, a town of 1,200 located 25 miles south of Battle Creek, is also home to the two-year-old FAB Magic Company and claims the title “Magic Capital of the World.” The town’s weeklong magic festival includes Abbott’s 68th annual Magic Get-Together, which draws as many as 1,500 professional and amateur magicians for four days of shop talk and performances. Featured entertainment includes Vegas regular John Shryock, quick change artists David and Dania, teen magic champ Nathan Kepner, and many others. Across the street, FAB’s second annual MagiCelebration offers more performances, a magic flea market, and magic day camp for kids seven and up. If you can’t make it to the festival, FAB also stages a magic show at 1 PM every Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Tue-Sat 8/2-8/6, Colon, Michigan. 800-926-2442 or www.abbottmagic.com; 269-432-4017 or www.fabmagic.com; $8-$20.

Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/David Linsell.

Magic Festival puts Colon on the map

COLON — For 51 weeks of the year, Colon is a sleepy little town of about 1,000 residents tucked along the shores of Sturgeon Lake and boasting one stoplight and the occasional Amish horse and buggy clip-clopping through town.

But for the past 73 years, that other week finds rabbits jumping out of hats, women levitating off the ground, men eating streams of fire and voices coming out of the mouths of marionettes and other objects — all happening when performers take to the streets and stages during the Colon Magic Festival, this year Aug. 4-7.

The festival attracts a who’s who in the field of professional magicians, including Bill Pitts, past president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Pitts first attended the festival 67 years ago and is among a long list of magicians, illusionists, dove workers and ventriloquists performing and presenting seminars day and night.

“My father started the Magic Get Together — the festival’s original name — in the 1930s,” said Greg Bordner, owner of Abbott’s Magic Co., the business his father started that same year.

“He called it the ‘Get Together’ because magicians would meet and entertain each other with magic but it wasn’t open to the public like it is now.”

There was a reason for magic in Colon. When he wasn’t performing, famed magician Harry Blackstone liked to fish in the area and often invited his colleagues, including Percy Abbott, to join him. Abbott and Blackstone opened a magic store in Colon.

When that closed, Abbott and Bordner joined forces and now Abbott's Magic is one of the largest manufacturers of professional magic tricks, shipping all over the world.
The town, called the Magic Capital of the World, is so synonymous with the trade, it has a second professional magic shop — The Fab Magic Co.

Blackstone, whose famous magic tricks included the floating light bulb and making his wife appear out of nowhere, is buried in the local cemetery along with several other magicians whose gravestones are part of a cemetery tour hosted during the festival.
"We take magic seriously here," said Bordner, noting that many of the town's businesses have names such as Illusion Hair Care and Magic City Hardware. The Colon High School sports team is called the Magi.

“During the festival, we try to make everyone a magician,” Bordner said.

— Jane Ammeson is a freelance writer based in southwestern Michigan.

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In addition to the magic shows, the festival also includes workshops and lectures where aspiring magicians can learn from the masters of the craft. These educational opportunities allow attendees to gain insight into the intricacies of magic and develop their own skills. The Colon Magic Festival is not only a platform for established magicians but also a space for up-and-coming talents to showcase their abilities.

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The event hosts a variety of competitions and showcases where amateur magicians can demonstrate their talents and gain recognition within the industry. Beyond the performances and workshops, the festival also offers a magical atmosphere that permeates the town of Colon. Streets are adorned with decorations, performers and street artists entertain passersby, and a sense of enchantment fills the air. Visitors can explore artisanal markets, savor delicious food from local vendors, and experience the unique ambiance of this charming town. The Colon Magic Festival attracts both locals and tourists alike, contributing to the cultural and economic development of the region. The event has gained international recognition and has become a must-visit for magic enthusiasts from around the world. In conclusion, the Colon Magic Festival is a captivating event that celebrates the art of magic. With its combination of mesmerizing performances, educational opportunities, and enchanting atmosphere, this festival offers a truly magical experience for attendees..

Reviews for "A Magical Gathering: The Allure of the Colon Magic Festival"

1. John - 2 stars - The Colon Magic Festival was a huge disappointment for me. The magic acts were unimpressive and lacked creativity. The performers seemed unenthusiastic and the tricks were predictable. The overall atmosphere of the festival was also very underwhelming. The event lacked organization, with long lines, crowded seating, and poor sound quality. I expected a magical experience, but I left feeling underwhelmed and let down. I wouldn't recommend the Colon Magic Festival to anyone seeking a truly enchanting and awe-inspiring event.

2. Emily - 1 star - I found the Colon Magic Festival to be a waste of time and money. The performances were subpar and seemed amateurish. The magicians lacked charisma and their tricks were unimpressive. Additionally, the festival itself was poorly organized. The lines were long, the seating was uncomfortable, and the overall experience was chaotic. I was expecting a grand spectacle of magic, but instead, I was met with mediocrity. I would advise anyone thinking of attending the Colon Magic Festival to look for a more professional and well-executed event.

3. Mike - 2 stars - The Colon Magic Festival fell short of my expectations. The performers lacked stage presence and their tricks were nothing out of the ordinary. I had seen better magic shows on television. The overall vibe of the festival was also lackluster. It felt like a run-of-the-mill event with nothing truly magical or extraordinary about it. The lack of organization and poor crowd management only added to my disappointment. I wouldn't recommend the Colon Magic Festival to anyone looking for a memorable and captivating magical experience.

Spells and Wonders: Highlights from the Colon Magic Festival