Burlington was originally proposed as the IJA convention site for 1983. but it was narrowly voted down at the membership meeting in Santa Barbara. We announced plans then for an alternative pre-IJA convention. and decided to go ahead after we received a lot of encouragement for the idea.

 

Our intention was to show that conventions can be a lot of fun. yet still be low cost. non-competitive and integrated with the local community.

 

To keep down cost, we decided that much of the day-to-day convention work could be done by jugglers. We purchased food wholesale from the local food co-op, bagel bakery and university dairy school. There was no shortage of volunteers to help prepare meals, clean up. run errands and watch the registration table.

 

Prices were also kept low by providing housing in private homes with camping options. Many residents generously donated sleeping space. In addition, two friends went out of town that weekend and gave us the keys to their houses. We also found places where people could camp or park vans for free and without hassles.

 

The convention took place at city-owned Memorial Auditorium. We had use of the whole building. The top floor was used for open juggling and the downstairs was used for cooking, eating and workshops. The auditorium has wooden floors. good ventilation and lighting and shower facilities.

 

By working with the Mayor's Council on the Arts we were able to obtain this space and City Hall Auditorium. where the public show took place. By cleaning up after ourselves. we did not need to hire a janitor.

 

Scheduled to begin on Friday, July 15, the convention actually got going on Wednesday when some jugglers showed up from California just in time for a meeting with a photographer from the Free Press, the local daily. People streamed in on Thursday. and by Friday night we had a lively convention on our hands.

 

Every day started with breakfast. yoga and lessons for beginners. The afternoons were devoted to workshops on subjects ranging from yo-yo and diabolos to club passing and swinging and even 'Juggling as Meditation.' When the ice cream arrived. no one was embarrassed to drop everything and run downstairs.

 

Late Saturday night. when people had returned from street performing. about 30 of us gathered around some beer to exchange views about juggling and IJA conventions. Everybody had a chance to speak. A few of the ideas were: '1 would like the competitions if they were done with less seriousness' -- Richard Dingman: "We need low-cost alternatives at IJA conventions' -­Larry Forsberg; 'We need respect for all levels of skill' -- David Schanzer.

 

Sunday was the big day. At 11:30 we raffled off clubs and torches. donated by Brian Dube, a t-shirt, a yo-yo, bean bags, a massage and a special booby prize. Then a lively parade wound through downtown, stopping twice for spontaneous performances. The picnic in the park included food. workshops. lessons and an impromptu show. That evening a full house enjoyed a fine two-hour variety show.

 

The package price was $25. Nobody was refused admission. People who came for a short time or couldn't pay were asked for a donation. By the time we'd closed up on Tuesday afternoon, we had received enough support to demonstrate that there is a desire and a need for more conventions of this type.