The first day cocktails were at the lounge. The next two nights were classic Nebraska Bar parties hosted by Steve and Michelle Gerdes. A fine time was had by standing room only crowds both nights. Nothing I like better than cold beer with cool juggling friends on a hot summer afternoon! Habitues included Pete Nicolaus and Wendy Harms, Eliot Goldstein, Renegade Bill, Babes in Shades, Larry Olson, Stuart Celarier, Jek Kelly, and many more. The conversations ran around gigs done, and gigs seen, props caught and props dropped, who caught who and who dropped whom.

 

The Nebraska Bar is always a festival highlight for me, Lil. One night leaving the

party a bunch of us were riding down in the elevator when founder Bernard Joyce got in with his wife. We all thought, "How coo!!" and thanked him. He seemed pleased.

 

(Here's to Bernard Joyce...clink!)

 

Tuesday nights' championships moved us off site for the first time that week. We went downtown to the Byham Theatre, an old vaudeville house still showing juggling acts. There were naked women painted on the ceiling, lines for the restrooms in the basement, not enough seats, too many VIPs, and way too long a line at the bar during intermission.

 

I'm not really into the competitions, but if you sift through the mass of sameness there are always a few diamonds in the rough. Most noticeable this year was Vladik. The Passing Zone also did a fine job of emceeing, and the judges were merciful. All in all the event was handled well, and entrants earned applause.

 

It had been decided that the Nebraska Bar would of necessity move to the brew pubs in the theatre's vicinity. The first night was dinner at the Valhalla Restaurant, sort of a Viking fern bar. But the lagers were superb, the vittles were fine and the company unparalleled - Pat Hazell, Babes in Shades, Steve and Michelle Gerdes, Cap'n Mike, Thor, Odin, Melonhead.

 

(Here's to George Barvinchak...clink! )

 

Wednesday night's dinner was a major highlight. Cocktails and dinner at the Church Works Brewery with the Babes and the Gerdeses. It was a beautiful old church, converted into a marvelous brewery and restaurant. The food was fine, and the company, as always, was fantastic. Knowing it was the last night of a historic week, and not knowing when we would all be together again, lent a warmth and togetherness to the evening. Or was it the church?

 

"Probably the ale!" said Lil.

 

The last night always features the Cascade of Stars public show. The Byham was jammed to the rafters and the pre-show crowd was rocking. Balloons aplenty were flying, bouncing, stretching, and propelling as the band played. The IJA crowd is like no other, and they were in fine form that night, let me tell you. By the time Pat Hazell, the night's emcee, hit the stage they were darn near rabid.

 

We knew this was going to be a really cool show, and it was. Hazell delivered, and the all-star cast delivered, big time. Even the lighting guys were juggling! Airjazz was dynamite. The Jon Held Dancers were spectacular. Tommy Curtain's fine polished act connected the past with the "now," and 14-year-old Vladik's act connected with the future. I gave high fives all around. Pat Hazell made us all laugh (he used a joke I gave him) and there was enough heritage in the air to fill up a big balloon. It was a fitting end to the festival.

 

Most people returned to attend Club Renegade, say goodbyes, juggle in the gym until dawn or just howl at the moon.

 

"So, Ernie, what was your Trails End?" asked Lil.

 

"Glad you asked, Lil, I figured you would." You see, a "Trails End" is a tradition at the end of a festival wherein a group of friends (usually over cocktails) shares their fondest moments of the fest, their special memory.

 

Art Jennings was my Trails End. You see Lil, Art Jennings, the Bum Juggler himself, the founder of the IJA, is a friend of mine. Art writes me once in a while. I was able to spend some quality time with Art at the Goldenfest. He was in his glory, lauded in public and private. To watch that was awesome. He invited me to join him for the competitions, and one morning at the concession area I sat and had coffee with him for more than an hour. It was fantastic! He told me of his life and the IJA. He talked of jugglers and prop makers, friends and loves.

 

On one occasion I pointed to the multitude juggling on the floor as a virtual mob scene and I asked him, "Did you ever imagine anything like this?" He chuckled, his eyes twinkled, and he said "Never. Never in 50 years."

 

(Here's to Art Jennings... clink!)