The 17^th International Sons Of the Desert Convention began on June 16, 2010, the 120^th anniversary of Stan Laurel’s birth. Everyone in attendance at the opening reception had the chance to sample some delicious birthday cakes in honor of Stan Laurel.  The highlight of the evening took place when Bill Leavy (as Stan Laurel) and Jamie McKenna (as Oliver Hardy) brilliantly re-created the “After The Ball, That’s All” dance from Laurel & Hardy’s classic feature, Way Out West. 

The next morning, June 17^th, we headed to Fort Sutter to participate in the traditional Oliver Hardy Putting Contest and Pee Wee Contest which found several people taking their chances, testing their skills and having a lot of fun in the process.  This was followed by a self-guided tour of the fort along with interesting historical facts and demonstrations shared by the fort personnel.  Later on, we went to California’s State Capitol building for a group photo followed by an informal parade to the historic Crest Theater, where “Stan and Ollie” (Bill and Jamie) kept us entertained with their creative and wonderful magic act before we all sat back and laughed at Laurel & Hardy in One Good Turn and Our Relations.  Then, it was back to the hotel for the convention’s one and only Grand Council Meeting as Carol and Steve Rugh made the presentation and 2012 convention bid for the On The Loose Tent (Oasis 206) led by Dave and Ali Stevenson of Manchester, New Hampshire.  Soon after, a vote was taken and a unanimous decision was made to accept the 2012 bid from the On The Loose Tent.  The next convention will take place from July 19 to 22, 2012.  The first banquet of the convention was a Them Thar Hills theme, hosted by former Midnight Patrol Grand Sheik, Bill Cassara.  Special honored guests in attendance were Lois Laurel Hawes (Stan Laurel’s daughter), Cassidy Cook (Stan’s great-granddaughter) along with Tommy and Lucy Ferrigno (Stan’s great-great grandchildren). A talent contest titled Appalachian Idyll, a spoof on the television program American Idol, was made up of some talented and not so talented performances.  After all was said and done, the winner of the evening’s big event was a member of the Laurel family, Tommy Ferrigino.  The evening concluded with Grand Sheik Ray Karch of the A Haunting We Will Go Tent (Oasis 291) amazing many members of the audience with his psychic abilities.  After the banquet, it was time to do some “Big Business” in the dealer’s room.

On Friday, June 18^th, the Bullfighters Mexican Fiesta Luncheon gave a taste of some “south of the border” delights and entertainment.  After lunch, we heard former Might Night Patrol Tent Grand Sheik and author of the book "Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn", Bill Cassara talk about the life and career of Edgar Kennedy.  We also had the chance to see two Edgar Kennedy short films.  This was followed by a “Meet and Greet” session Stan Laurel’s daughter, Lois Laurel Hawes, who answered many questions from members of the audience.  Also, two excellent video tributes complete with photos and film clips of the late Dorothy DeBorba from Our Gang were presented.  That evening, we were driven to the California Auto Museum.  The entertainment featured David Moreno at the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ performing for Laurel & Hardy silent films Angora Love and Two Tars.

Saturday morning, June 19^th began as Irv Hyatt (Blotto Tent – Oasis 21) shared many rare and interesting newsreel clips plus photos of Laurel & Hardy on tour with the Hollywood Victory Caravan during World War II.  The Trivia Quiz followed with Quizmaster Henry Sorenson (Going Bye-Bye Tent – Oasis 56), Co-Quizmaster John Duff (Early To Bed Tent – Oasis 239) and scorekeeper Mary May Vereen (Another Fine Mess – Oasis 49) who is the daughter of Hal Roach Studios special effects-prop man, Thomas Benton Roberts, supplying the questions to the quiz participants.  In the end, The Sanford Arms team made up of Brad Farrell (A Haunting We Will Go Tent - Oasis 154), David Rodriguez (Way Out West Tent - Oasis 5) and Peter van Rooij (Unaccustomed As We Are Tent - Oasis 282 were the winners.  Bob Satterfield (Way Out West Tent - Oasis 5) then presented a nostalgic look back at the numerous celebrities who attended many Way Out West Tent of Los Angeles meetings and banquets over the years.  Later in the afternoon, we went to the Aerospace Museum of California, for Hollywood Victory Caravan Banquet.  Delegates dressed in 1940’s attire brought out many creative ideas displayed with their costumes.  Presentation of the awards for the contests held over the past few days took place and the thirteen members of the Sons Of The Desert who have attended all 17 conventions were brought up on stage to be saluted.  A very special moment at this banquet occurred when never before seen and last known home footage of Stan Laurel was shared by the makers of an upcoming documentary about Stan and Ollie.

Each night throughout the convention, 16mm films were shown in the Laurel & Hardy Fun Factory at the hotel by Stan Taffel, who shared some very rare and seldom seen films. 

Sunday morning, June 20^th, the farewell gathering found us getting together one last time to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet before getting down to the ceremonial convention closing. The final act was the traditional “Passing Of The Pineapple” to the new convention hosts, Carol and Steve Rugh, representing the On The Loose Tent of Manchester, New Hampshire.  Congratulations and thank you to Rebecca Kane, Irene Velasquez and everyone from the Another Fine Mess Tent of Sacramento, California – Oasis 49 for your hard work to make this a very successful and memorable convention.  Looking forward to seeing you in 2012!