The trick to a perfect Spring Break

Fun is in the cards as the Festival of Illusions returns

Peter Irish Foot Juggler - FOI 2023(1).jpeg

By Sabine Wilson

For the TODAY

The Lincoln City Cultural Center’s treasured Festival of Illusions is back, with nine days of festivities taking place from Thursday, March 23, to Saturday, April 1.

“This year’s festival is one of our biggest yet with new acts, returning magicians, classes, workshops and photo opportunities,” Media and Communications Coordinator Frank Hoovestal said. “This is a family-friendly festival that will have both daytime activities and evening performances for all ages. Rain or shine.”

The festival is going on its 12th year, originating as a way to bring affordable and weather-proof entertainment for families to enjoy during Oregon’s spring break.

“Getting to attend this festival in the past truly made me enjoy magic,” Hoovestal said. “The acts were truly amazing and magical. It’s a really fun week.”

Kicking off the festival is Louis Pearl, aka The Amazing Bubble Man, who has traveled the world doing art, magic and science for 30 years. But his true mastery is seen with bubbles: square bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornadoes and even people inside of bubbles.

The lineup will also include Peter Irish, the world-famous foot juggler who has also won six world hacky sack championships. He has combined his comedy with his juggling talent to perform his “Feets of Comedy” show across the world.

Returning to the stage will also include Dr. Delusion’s Illusions Comedy Magic and Illusion Show featuring Bob Whitlatch and Delusionettes, Amy and Krista. This beloved and highly attended show will include large props (think 10 feet high) that have been seen on “Late Night with David Letterman.” Prepare for gorillas appearing from an empty cage and audience members floating mid-air. You might even see someone get sawed in half.

In addition to these performers the Fiber Arts Studio Gallery will host the show “Filaments,” a traveling exhibit put on by the Weaving Guild of Oregon. Multicolored and high-quality filaments will be available in the gallery for the public from March 24 through May 20.

Meanwhile, a new Magic Art Studio will offer kids of all ages the chance to paint, do magic trick making, collage, stop gap animation and more. All materials are included and daily admission is just $5. Kids aged eight and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.

Other attractions include a Princess Tea, a ceramics workshop and cookie decorating. And Art Kits will also be abundantly available throughout the festival, allowing kids to take a creative challenge home with them.

All these performers, experiences, events, and more will be available during the Festival of Illusions.

The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.

• Original plans for the Festival of Illusions included a visit from the Shaky Grounds Café, a mobile escape room, Unfortunately, due to ongoing construction in the cultural center parking lot, the visit had to be cancelled.

Festival schedule

Art Packet Pickup Room open from 10 am-4 pm daily

Saturday, March 25

7 pm On Stage: Carisa Hendrix

Sunday, March 26

7 pm On Stage: Jeff Evans Science Magic

Monday, March 27