Magicians gather in Colon for 'Get-Together'

From street-corner buskers and impromptu tricks at downtown eateries, to small-theater performances and showcase talent at Colon High School, opening day of the 84th Abbott’s Magic Get-Together on Wednesday offered entertainment at all levels.

Colon’s annual premiere event appears close to returning to pre-pandemic numbers after it was canceled in 2020 and began its recovery to normalcy in 2021. Wednesday featured plenty of buzz, beginning with Chicago-area magician John Sturk. A Plymouth native, Sturk kicked off the first of several street performances this week with a 20-minute gig at the corner of State Street and North Blackstone.

Sturk, 38, said 2022 marks his 18th Get-Together. Colon holds a special place in his heart, he said, because it’s where his career in magic and illusion started.

“Abbott’s Get-Together is different than any other magic convention because of the history and also because it’s so much like a family reunion … some people in the industry I only see once a year and it’s always here,” said Sturk, an MSU graduate who is the president-elect of the Society of American Magicians.

Sturk, who is scheduled to be on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” next week, said Colon is where he won his first competitive event, a close-up competition in 2005.

Union City resident Nathan Secord watched – and even participated in – Sturk’s performance. His mother, Robin, said she saw the Get-Together promoted on Facebook and decided it would be a fun way to spend the day with her 12-year-old son.

“It’s our first time attending (the Get-Together) and we plan to spend the day here,” she said. “The list of events has quite a few things we’re interested in, so we’re really looking forward to the day. We’ll do a little shopping, of course, and pick up some tricks for Nathan to learn.”

Colon American Legion is sponsoring this year’s street performers.

Illinois residents Frank and Patty Gayda spent a portion of their afternoon watching performer John Shango and his 45-minute act at Abbott’s Magic.

Frank said he is recently retired and is now able to devote more time dabbling in the world of magic. He said he especially enjoys watching others in the field. Returning to Colon for the annual Get-Together is always a summertime highlight, Gayda added.

“I really enjoy the closeness,” he said. “All the magicians I meet, they are all so nice and approachable, and they’re willing to help. But I truly enjoy the art and there’s really no better magic convention than right here in Colon.”

Sturgis resident Lynda Kolzow was hosting what she called “Grandma Camp” this week. Her two granddaughters and grandsons – ages 11, 8, 6 and 3 years – are from out of town and were thrilled to find out attendance at Abbott’s Magic Get-Together was on their agenda.

“The timing was really good because this was the only week they were able to stay with me, so this worked out great,” she said. “We bought some tricks here at Abbott’s and the man who worked with us was really helpful. It’s really a fun place.”

Chicago-area resident Mike Gierman is a seasonal resident at Palmer Lake. After attending Shango’s program at Abbott’s, he, his wife and three grandkids had lunch at Curly’s.

Gierman said it is the first time the grandkids have been in Colon during the Get-Together.

“We all liked the show over at Abbott’s, we’ve already been there twice and bought some tricks,” he said. “It’s costing me a little money today but, you know, we’re making some great memories here and we’re having fun.”

A native of Treviso, Italy, Andrea Solimbergo is a Schaumburg, Ill., resident who also has an interest in performing magic. He was chosen to assist Jania Taylor during her street-busking performance outside the American Legion.

Solimbergo said he knew about the Get-Together in years past but decided 2022 would finally be the year to attend. The enthusiasm behind his thick but charming accent was hard to conceal.

“I was online and I looked closer at this convention in Colon, and I saw that this one is different … this one is not at a large hotel, it has a much greater personal feel to it,” he said. “I was very much impressed with the names I saw of the people who were going to be here. I knew this was going to be different but in a better way.”

Solimbergo, who secured a hotel room in Sturgis, said his first-ever visit to St. Joseph County has been memorable so far. He said he enjoyed the drive from Sturgis to Colon and he especially liked the small-town atmosphere he found in Colon.

“I don’t want to miss anything, so I try to look at and attend everything that I can,” Solimbergo said. “I visit for the first time the Abbott shop and it is so eloquent … the posters on the ceiling, the creaky, wood floors, the scent and the history of the shop. It really is sensational.”

The Get-Together has plenty more to offer Friday and Saturday, including a ghost-themed showcase performance Friday night. A complete list of events, times and locations can be found at: www.magicgettogether.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Entertainment