The Unconventional Convention for 2009 is just around the corner so start making your travel plans today.

WHEN
 

The convention kicks off on Friday November 6th and runs through Saturday November 7th.

WHERE

As always the convention will be held at Cumberland Falls State Park.

LODGING INFORMATION

To find out more about the facilities or to make a reservation please click HERE

DIRECTIONS TO THE DUPONT LODGE

To get directions to the DuPont Lodge please click HERE

THE SPECIAL GUEST FOR 2009 IS BOB SHEETS

Bob Sheets from Washington D.C. via San Diego, Chicago, & Aspen. Behind Bob's humorous presentation style is experience gained from one of the most diverse work histories in Magic. Serious credentials in a variety of venues include Circus and Side Show performer, Shopping Center Magic promotions, Magic Bartender, Street Magician, Bar/Restaurant Owner, Renaissance Festival performer , Magic Dinner Theater entrepreneur, Trade Show crowd stopper, and Sales Meeting wake up artist,. Bob lectures and performs for magicians all over the world including England, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and India. In 1996 Bob won first place in London at the prestigious "Ron MacMillan World Close-up Magic Contest". Together these make Bob an interesting character and a "Good magician and funny guy".

ADMISSION

The cost for admission is $20 for magicians

WHAT TO EXPECT

At the Unconventional convention there are things happening at all times such as lectures, shows, jam sessions, impromptu teach-ins, and much more.

There are vendors with today's most popular tricks and props and some with originals you can't find anywhere else.

It isn't called the Unconventional Convention for nothing. Magic can happen anywhere and anytime. See you there!

The Thoroughbred Magic Guild started in the Spring of 1969, with a group of Central Kentucky magic enthusiasts who met at the home of Arnollis Meade, in Lexington, Kentucky. These first meetings set the framework for the eventual formation of Ring 198, of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). The charter members of the Ring worked diligently to assure that the Ring would become a viable and long lasting organization. This goal has been realized, because in November 1999, the Ring celebrated 30 years of active membership in the IBM. The charter members of the Ring were: William O. Birchfield, George Blevens, Jerald M. Burgess, Ray Corns, William Curry, William K. Griffith, Dr. Jeptha R. Hostetler, Martha J. Jarvis, William C. Jarvis, John S. Kendall (the Ring's first President), James T. McClure, Arnollis Meade, Nonnie L. Stratton, Charles N. Stratton, and Sid Yuro.

The name "Thoroughbred Magic Guild" was agreed upon by the founders as the most appropriate name for a magic organization in the heart of Central Kentucky's thoroughbred region. The Ring has lived up to its name by being a strong innovative voice for magic in Central Kentucky.
 

In 1974, Jerry Burgess, with help from Ring members came up with the idea of having a magic convention like no other kind of magic convention. Thus, was conceived the "Unconventional Convention", where the registration was a nominal fee and the performers were made up of the registrants to the convention. Jerry Burgess approached the management at Cumberland Falls State Park in south central Kentucky with the idea, and they were enthusiastic about it. The DuPont Lodge at the state park is the headquarters of the convention. The first Convention took place the first weekend in November 1974. During the early years of the convention it was mainly the members of Ring 198, who made the daytime close-up and nighttime performances happen. There was no official agenda or program. Guests from the state park were invited to the evening performances in the small recreation room off the main lobby. The state park eventually built a recreation building next to the lodge which will hold a hundred plus people. Some of the guest lecturers and noted performers have included Michael Ammar, Gene Anderson, Bob Bengel, Bill Brewe, Lance Burton, Bob Brezindine, John Calvert, Harry Collins, Paul Diamond, Craig Dickson, Bob Escher, Neil Foster, Dan Garrett, Max Howard, Chris Jakway, Mac King, Bob Knigge, Bob McAllister, John Mendoza, Jerry Mentzer, Al Schneider, Joseph Smiley, and Tim Starr.

In 1984, Ring 198 won the prestigious Ring of the Year Award. Our monthly newsletter "Hocus in Focus" keeps the membership up to date on the clubs activities and other things magical. The Magic Achievement Awards program was instituted in the 80's to allow members an opportunity to advance in their magical knowledge and skills. This program went by the wayside but is being resurrected.