The Colon Michigan Magic Festival is an annual event that takes place in the small town of Colon, Michigan. Colon is often referred to as the "Magic Capital of the World" due to its rich history and connection to the world of magic. The festival attracts magicians and magic enthusiasts from all over the world, who gather in Colon to celebrate and showcase their skills. It is a week-long event filled with magic shows, workshops, lectures, and competitions. The festival includes performances by world-renowned magicians, who dazzle the audience with their mind-boggling tricks and illusions. The performances range from close-up magic to grand stage acts, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Colon Michigan Chamber of Commerce

The Colon Area Chamber’s first Meet & Greet occurred on February 22, 2018 at the American Legion. It was sponsored by Davis & Davis Insurance and was exceptionally well attended, drawing over sixty people. The Chamber is following up with plans for additional seasonal Meet & Greets, one for winter, spring, summer and fall. Dates and locations will be announced. If you would like sponsor one of these events please contact any of our Board members.

For the past four years, the Chamber has helped sponsor the annual 31 Flavors of Magic festival, organized by the local magic club, Ring 386. The festival involves most of the businesses and organization in the village, frequently bringing in hundreds of families to spend a Spring afternoon in Colon.

The Chamber also pays for all of the street performers (buskers) during the Abbott’s Get-Together in August. These magicians perform outside local businesses, on the street or sidewalk, drawing attention and traffic to the business. Abbott’s coordinates with John Sturk to organize the performers.

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The performances range from close-up magic to grand stage acts, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the performances, the festival also offers various workshops and lectures for aspiring magicians to learn from the best in the field. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including card tricks, sleight of hand, and stage presence.

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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."

Magic Fest, Colon Michigan

Seemed strange to us that this little burg of 1,200 people would host a world renowned magic festival, but there was a lot we didn’t know! See all about Magic Week here: https://www.gypsynester.com/magic.htm

One of the highlights of the Colon Michigan Magic Festival is the magic competition, where magicians compete against each other for various awards and recognition. This adds a competitive element to the festival, as magicians strive to impress the judges and the audience with their skills and creativity. The festival also features a Magic Museum, where visitors can learn about the history of magic and explore various artifacts and memorabilia. This museum serves as a testament to Colon's magical heritage and its enduring love for the art of magic. Overall, the Colon Michigan Magic Festival is a must-visit for any magic lover or anyone looking for a unique and enchanting experience. It provides a platform for magicians to showcase their talent, learn from the best, and immerse themselves in the world of magic. In Colon, magic truly comes alive, making it a truly magical experience for all who attend..

Reviews for "Experience the Magic of Colon at the Annual Magic Festival"

1. Samantha - 1/5

I attended the Colon Michigan Magic Festival with high expectations but ultimately left disappointed. The performances were lackluster and predictable, leaving little room for surprise or awe. The organization of the event was also chaotic, with long waits and confusion among attendees. It felt like a disorganized mess rather than a well-planned festival. I would not recommend this event to anyone seeking an enjoyable and memorable magic experience.

2. Michael - 2/5

I had heard so much hype about the Colon Michigan Magic Festival, but sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. The performances were average at best, with repetitive tricks and underwhelming presentation. The venue was also overcrowded, making it difficult to truly appreciate the magic happening on stage. Overall, I found the festival to be a letdown and would not consider attending again in the future.

3. Emily - 2/5

As a fan of magic, I was excited to attend the Colon Michigan Magic Festival. However, I was left unimpressed by the quality of the performances. Many of the tricks felt outdated and unoriginal, lacking the innovation and creativity I had hoped for. The festival also lacked organization, with long queues and a general sense of chaos. While it had the potential to be a great event, it fell short of delivering an enjoyable experience for me.

4. David - 1/5

I regretted spending money on the Colon Michigan Magic Festival. The performances were amateurish, with poorly executed tricks and lackluster showmanship. The festival seemed more like a gathering of beginners rather than a showcase of professional magicians. Additionally, the venue was uncomfortable and poorly designed, with limited seating and inadequate facilities. I would advise others to save their money and seek out a better magic festival elsewhere.

Be Mesmerized by Incredible Sleight of Hand at the Colon Michigan Magic Festival