The name conjures up mysterious nights and mesmerizing shows from circus folk. Midnight on the Midway is 2014's theme for the BJDCon Texas. Although the website for the convention is not yet complete there are still many dolly-folk queuing up to join in on the festivities for the con. What is ahead for the convention dates of July 31st, August 1 & 2? Contests most likely. But according to the website there will be an opening day reception, two day sales floor, workshops, door prizes and addition to the likely contests, a banquet on the last night of the convention. For anyone craving the proximity of doll people this convention should be jam packed with doll lovers of all shapes, sizes and ages. Midnight on the Midway is a magical name for this year's festivities. It makes me think of books I've read and movies I've seen about midnight circuses, carnivals and fairgrounds. It causes the imagination to soar on the legendary trapeze smack dab into the games of skill and into sideshow stalls located on the periphery of the main tent focal of all the grand pageantry. It brings together all the glitter and bright lights attracting one towards a (less than) fair chance to win a prize or to the ride on a rickety ferris wheel far up into the breathtaking winds above. It causes scents of popcorn, cotton candy and funnel cake loaded with powdered sugar to leap into the nose; balloons, carnival music and carnie shouts to 'step right up' to ring into the ears. Midnight on the Midway renews the bygone days of circuses, carnivals and fairgrounds. It calls to mind the days when the freak show was a mysterious introduction into human oddities and not an illegal and non-politically correct phrase. It brings to mind the romance of an era long gone. As this year's theme it is perfectly suited for the dreamer to dream. | As mentioned the website is still under construction so much is left to the imagination regarding the year's planned events but registration is available as well as hotel accommodations reservation links. It is bound to be a terrific time for all attendees with a chance to meet new and old friend alike. Quite a few vendors have lined up for the convention sales room this year so bring plenty of spare funds so that you can support the vendors as well as bring home some fabulous merchandise for your collection. This is the one bjd convention not-to-be-missed since it is the first of its kind in Texas (since 2006) and one of the first in the US totally dedicated to the art and hobby of ball-joint-dolls. It is considered to be one of the best of its kind for the price and you will be sure to bring home memories beyond price. The convention doll has yet to be announced and for those of you unaware most doll conventions feature a Limited Edition doll created exclusively for convention attendees. Past Texas BJD conventions only had access to a limited edition outfit since BJD doll-makers were also limited but with the growing interest in the hobby of ball-joint-dolls more doll artists are available to create specific dolls for specific events. So now limited ball-joint dolls are offered to convention goers at most major BJD conventions. What will it be this year and who will be the artist to create this year's attendee L.E. doll? With Midnight on the Midway my own thoughts whirl with a plethora of ideas so I can only imagine what the chosen doll artist will come up with! With this being my very first BJD convention I am looking forward to joining in for all the fun and activities for 2014's BJDCon. I am also looking towards meeting all my familiar online doll-friends and being introduced to new ones. So with fond farewell for now, I hope to see you there! |