Michigan Magic Day Historical Timeline – Michigan Magic Day 2027

This timeline has been published by the Ann Arbor Magic Club leveraging several lists that had previously been circulated, solicitation of input from other clubs, and references in the Linking Rings and other publications.

Entries are categorized using icons as follows:

✓

Confirmed — Supported by direct documentary evidence such as The Linking Ring, official programs, flyers, officer lists, or dated photographs.

🔗

Strongly Inferred — Not directly documented, but highly likely based on sequence continuity, multiple indirect sources, and consistent historical references.

︖

Needs Verification — Incomplete, conflicting, or missing evidence exists, and additional documentation or member recollections are needed to confirm the details.

We need your help to reconstruct the history of Michigan Magic Day for the next generation of magicians. If you have information on a Michigan Magic Day, see an error or can fill in a blank, PLEASE click the big blue button in the lower right and share what you know.

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Michigan Magic Day History

1970

1st – Ring 54 – Lansing

“One year ago, there were only two Rings in Michigan… Today, there are five Rings…” This reflection during the 1971 event implies the prior year marked the first Michigan Magic Day. The Linking Ring, May 1971, Ring Reports, Michigan section, p. approx. 95 This popular event (Michigan Magic Day), initiated by Stan White and Doug Dean, has grown to sizeable proportions, and we hope to exceed 250 registrations this year. Linking Ring Feb 1973 Vol 53 Issue 2 Page 131

1971

2nd – Ring 36 – Fenton

“The little town of Fenton was chosen by Stan White, Territorial Vice-president, as the site of the second Michigan Magic Day, March 27”

Linking Ring June 1971 Vol 51 Issue 6 Page 112

1972

3rd – Ring 54 – Holt

We have received word from Territorial Vice-president, Doug Dean, that Michigan Magic Day will be April 8, in Holt,
Michigan.

By Howard Bamman, ed.. “Linking Ring Vol 52 Issue 4”, Apr 1972, p. 11

Michigan Magic Day itself on April 8 in Holt drew a good crowd again—nearly 200, despite snow in a belt from Chicago to Toledo as well as farther north of us. Both close-up and platform shows were good with some outstanding acts including our Midland friend Gene Anderson. Also outstanding in both categories and awardwinners for platform, was our own Dennis and Bonnie Loomis with their beautiful “Red and Black Phantasy” act climaxing with the prettiest “Zig-Zag” you’ll ever see.

Linking Ring Jun 1972 Vol. 52, No. 6 p. 141

1973

4th – Ring 210 – Ypsilanti

The Fourth Annual Michigan Magic Day was held at Cleary College,Ypsilanti, Michigan, April 7. Under the sponsorship of the “Duke Stern Ring 210,” it was one of the most successful to date; 311 paid registrations, plus over 400 laymen attending the Saturday evening Headliner Show. The entire affair was a shining example of what can be done with careful advanced planning; nothing was missing, nothing off-schedule.

“Linking Ring Vol 53 Issue 7”, Jul 1973, p. 52

1974

5th – Ring 22 – Livonia?

“…Michigan Magic Day 1974 is to be held in Detroit;…

Linking Ring Jul 1973 Vol 53 Issue 7 Page 55

NO. 212, SAGINAW, MICHIGAN—Dr. Boris Zola Ring
GENE ANDERSON, President
…A short business meeting was held during which discussion was held on our auction night planned for the May meeting and Michigan Magic Day to be held April 27, 1974

“Linking Ring Vol 54 Issue 6”, Jun 1974, p. 128

1975

6th – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

Ring Report NO. 212
“Pres. Schilling called the business meeting to order and plans for Michigan Magic Day1976, which Ring 212 will host, were discussed.”

Linking Ring Dec 1975 Vol 55 Issue 12 Page 13

Ring Report NO. 211

“Ring (sic) hosted the one day Annual Michigan Magic Day 1975 on May 17. The night before party and all convention day activities were a large success. The evening stage show boasted nearly 800 spectators.

Linking Ring Aug 1975 Vol 55 Issue 8 Page 124

1976

7th – Ring 212 – Saginaw

A post mortum was held on Michigan Magic Day which was hosted by Ring 212 and held at The Saginaw Civic Center on May 1st. A report on the financial accounting disclosed that there were 226 paid reservations, 8 dealer booths and public ticket sales to the evening show of $1,622.00. After all expenses were paid, a donation of the excess money in the amount of $624.00 was made to the Michigan Children’s Leukemia Foundation

“Linking Ring Vol 56 Issue 8”, Aug 1976, p. 13

1977

8th – Unknown

1978

9th – Ring 333 – Kalamazoo

Ring Report NO. 211, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
“Bill Van (AKA VandeWerken) of Kalamazoo, announced May 13 as Michigan Magic Day. The event will be held in Kalamazoo with a get-together scheduled for Friday evening, May 12 at the Holiday April, 1978

Linking Ring Apr 1978 Vol 58 Issue 4 Page 129

1979

10th – Ring 36 – Flint

“Michigan Magic Day 78 is now past, and plans are being made for Magic Day 79, to be hosted by Ring 36 here in Flint.”

Linking Ring Aug 1978 Vol 58 Issue 8 Page 117

1980

11th – Ring 210 – Ann Arbor?

Ring Report NO. 210

“The meeting closed with a discussion of preliminary plans for Michigan Magic Day which will be held next Spring in Ann Arbor and sponsored by Ring 210.

Linking Ring Dec 1979 Vol 59 Issue 12 Page 142

1981

12th – Ring 89 – Battle Creek (was this 11th or 12th?)

“The 11th Annual Michigan Magic Day was held April 25 at the Harper Creek High School, Battle Creek, Michigan.”

Linking Ring Aug 1981 Vol 61 Issue 8 Page 100

1982

13th – Ring ??? – Roseville

1983

14th – Ring 54 – Lansing

1984

15th – Unknown

1985

16th – Ring 212 – Saginaw

“Next month — Michigan Magic Day 1985…” indicating the annual April gathering.

The Linking Ring, March/April 1985 Ring Reports, page unknown

1986

17th – Unknown

1987

18th – Ring 210 – Ann Arbor

1988

19th – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

1989

20th – Ring 22

1990

21st – Ring 210 – Ypsilanti

1991

22nd – Ring 210 – Ann Arbor

1992

23rd – Ring 22

1993

24th – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

1994

25th – Ring 210

1995

26th – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

1996

27th – Ring 210 – Ypsilanti

“The video was from 1973, the first time the Ann Arbor Magic Club hosted Michigan Magic Day…” referenced during 1996 preparations.

The Linking Ring, 1996 Ring Report, Ring 210 section, Feb 1996 approx., page unknown

1997

28th – Ring 54 – Lansing

1998

29th – Ring 212 – Saginaw

1999

30th – Ring 210 – Ann Arbor

2000

31st – Ring 333 – Kalamazoo

2001

32nd – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

2002

33rd – Ring 54 – Lansing

“This year’s host was Ring 54 of Lansing…” for the 33rd Annual Michigan Magic Day.

The Linking Ring, 2002 Ring Report, page unknown

2003

34th – Ring 210 – Ann Arbor

2004

35th – Ring 333 – Kalamazoo

2005

36th – Ring 36 – Flushing

The rest of the meeting was filled with planning Michigan Magic Day in 2005. Michigan Magic Day is an annual Spring one-day magic convention in Michigan. Michigan Rings take turns hosting the event and trying to out do each other with magic and hospitality. In 2005, Ring 36 in Flint has the honor of hosting the event once again. The very first Michigan Magic Day started in Flint 35 years ago. [NEEDS CONFIRMATION -ed] For the 36th Michigan Magic Day the newly revived Flint Ring has several new ideas to entice magicians from everywhere to come and join in the fun and magic. Mark your calendars in May 2005 and keep reading these reports to keep up with the progress. Hope to see you there in 2005! Chris Harper

Linking Ring May 2004 Vol 84 Issue 5 Page 147

2006

37th – Ring 212 – Saginaw/Midland

2007

38th – Ring 54 – Lansing

2008

39th – Ring 210

2009

40th – Ring 333 – Kalamazoo

2010

41st – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

2011

42nd – Colon Magic Club – Coldwater

“Michigan Magic Day 2011 coming April 29 and 30 in Coldwater.”

The Linking Ring, Spring 2011, Ring Reports, page unknow

“MICHIGAN MAGIC DAY APRIL 29 & 30 Held at the Historic Tibhit’s Opera House in Coldwaler, Michigan featuring Gene Anderson. I he Latllins, Alan Smola, Matt Kalila, Rick Fisher Contests,Lectures,Close Up Show, Dealers & Full Evening Show ALL FOR ONLY $25.00.”

Linking Ring Jan 2011 Vol 91 Issue 1 Page 16

2012

43rd – Ring 54 – Lansing

2013

44th – Ring 36 – Flint

“Michigan Magic Day will be held by the Flint Ring on April 20.”

The Linking Ring, early 2013 Ring Report, page unknown

2014

45th – Ring 386 – Colon

“This year was the first time Michigan Magic Day has ever been brought to the Magic Capital of the World…”

The Linking Ring, June 2014, Ring Reports, p. approx. 70

2015

46th – Ring 333 – Kalamazoo

2016

47th – Ring 210 – Ypsilanti

2017

48th – Ring 211 – Grand Rapids

2018

49th – Sterlini Magic Mfg – Colon

COLON, Mich. — Colon, Michigan, the self-proclaimed “magic capital of the world,” is hosting Michigan Magic Day next Saturday, May 19 at Colon High School starting at 7:30 p.m.

INTERVIEW: John Sterlini with Michigan Magic Day by Newschannel 3Sun, May 13, 2018

2019

50th – Ring 36 – Flint