Art Jennings , the first president of the IJA ever, stood before a banquet crowd of 400 at the Association's 34th annual conven­tion and proclaimed, "The greatest thing that ever happened to juggling is happening right here, right now!"

That historical perspective affirmed the feelings most of the 678 registered jugglers had about their six day celebration of mankind's continuing attempt to master gravity. Held July 14-19 on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , OH , the convention drew together new generation and past generation jugglers from allover the United States , Canada and five European countries. For at least the sixth year in a row, attendance was a new record.

Jennings was among less than a score of jugglers who met in 1947 in Pittsburgh , PA , during a magician's convention. Those present created the IJA and elected Jennings as its first president.

Taking the microphone in Cleveland this summer, he cheered juggling's present popularity. He said "There's been a resurgence in juggling over the past seven years. You've brought enthusiasm and innovation to the art that we were afraid was dying in 1947."

Other senior jugglers who have watched the skill's increasing good fortune of late were also present, including Bill Dietrich, Bobby May and Johnny Lux.

Jennings said, "When the old pros gathered in Pittsburgh and formed the IJA, it was the first time they ever sat down together and talked. "

They also found they loved juggling together, and IJA mem­bers have been doing it annually since then. The high level of activity, skill and diversity of juggling that occurred inside Adelbert Gym at the convention testified to the benefits of togetherness.

Jugglers were passing objects and trading ideas allover the floor, in workshops, at the business meeting, over meals and in dor­mitory lobbies until dawn sent them to bed.

Convention chairman Terry Butler 's package price of $125 for room, two daily meals, registration and the public show made the convention a vacation bargain. The price included admission to he competitive events, which attracted a record number of entrants. Youth and experience both prevailed, as 8-year-old Anthony Gatto won the juniors competition and Tommy Curtin, a performing professional since 1953 and 1960 IJA president, won the U.S. Nationals (formerly seniors division).

The 111 overall convention competitors and 17 people in the seven object event were both also records, and further proof of change since 1947, when, as Jennings said, "anyone who could do seven was spoken of in a tone of awe and reverence. "

Among those held in awe this year were Jim Strinka, who demonstrated a nine ball cascade, and Bruce Pfeffer and Dan Berg, who passed ten clubs twenty feet high above the prostrate body of Craig Barnes late Wednesday' night. Another good sampling of top IJA jugglers was found in the program for the "Camp Cascade Counselor's Show," a.k.a. - The Public Show.

Besides Curtin and Gatto, performers included Michael Baldridge, Edward Jackman, Daniel Rosen, Lany Vaksman, Kit Summers and Joyce Rice. They presented an array of juggling talent from flawless grace with a hat, ball and cane to flaming baton juggling and whip-cracking.

Constant in their comedy throughout the show were Randy Judkins and Michael Marlin, who played the roles of the camp's proprietors. Lenny Deluxe and the Mosquito Lounge Band provided musical accompaniment.

The week's only disappointment came when the major league baseball players' strike forced cancellation of a planned jugglers' parade around Cleveland Stadium before an Indians game.

The traditional Benefit Show was again emceed by Bill Barr. Held at the Rainbow Children's Hospital across the street from the convention site, it was presented to about 50 hospitalized children. Joining some jugglers mentioned above, Alan Howard and Gravity's Last Stand represented the best of the IJA there.

Another convention highlight was movie night, where films provided varying quality looks at Rudy Horn doing a seven ball bounce, Bobby May on ice skates and Rastelli juggling six plates while spinning a ring and jumping rope!

Convention business sessions covered a variety of matters. Minutes can be found on page seven. Foremost among business conducted was the selection of Santa Barbara , CA , as the 1982 convention site (July 13-18) and re-election of Gene Jones as IJA president.

Symbolically, Bobby May (l) and Anthony Gatto on stage after the competitions represented the past and future of the IJA brought together in Cleveland.

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