Author Gipsy Rose Date 1-13-2006 GOLLYFEST V111 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA JANUARY 12/13 2006 THEME:GOLLIWOGG AT THE SEASIDE The day dawned bright and clear, and the Gollyfest Conventioneers gathered together for the welcome address from our organizer, Jan Ross…who, as usual, went to great lengths to make sure the event would go as smoothly as possible, with a little help from her friends…. At registration we had received our time table for the next couple of day, plus a wonderful gift package containing a seaside bucket, with a transfer of the Seaside Golliwog and Peg Dolls on the side..A lovely wooden money box Golly, pens and pencils, greeting cards, a cute pin and a key ring..all in the Golliwogg at the seaside theme.. Earlier, those of us who had rented a sales table had ‘set up’ our wares in the sale room ready for inspection..There were Gollies of all shapes, sizes and different items from pins to posters..It was a wonderful assortment, and a delight for a Golly collector to behold… But the conventioneers weren’t allowed to peek! This time was strictly for the vendors… Last night, some of the early arrivals had congregated for an informal dinner at the Sheraton Restaurant, and there was much laughter and catching up, as more people arrived, and the table got longer and longer..It seems there were more people than ever before who made it in time for the early dinner…Jan remembered a time when just five people were present..last night there must have been at least thirty! Anyway, after the initial welcome, Jan launched right into this years theme, and read the original Upton book, Golliwogg at the Seaside, whilst Mike showed slides of the pictures from the book, and although she didn’t think she did it justice, she actually did a great job, as some of those rhythms just don’t………….! The sales room was then opened for all Conventioneers to see, and there was much bustle, as everyone tried to see and purchase everything at once..There was some great stuff there, even if I do say so myself…! After a pick me up cup of tea and coffee, Shelia Mallin, from England, led away her Golly workshop people to the next room, whilst Jan Ross began her slide presentation of The Golly between the Covers…the Golly in children’s books from Upton through the 20 century. She spoke of many books I had read as a child in post war Britain, so I became quite nostalgic as I recognized books my sisters and brothers and I had once owned… Whilst Shelia carried on with her workshop, Camie Rundeen began setting up the auction that will be held later this evening..and the rest of us took off for a lunch break… A surprise awaited our return!! Clinton Derricks,Actor and Author of the new book about Golliwoggs “ Buy Golly” was waiting as we returned to the Sale Room at 2pm..He writes about Golliwoggs from a black mans perspective, and illustrates his book with his own collection of Gollies, so it is a pretty interesting read, (should be available on Amazon if you want a copy!)..His pile of books soon dwindled as he inscribed each one with a personal message, and had a chat with everyone in the room..As Golly would say, a very charming fellow indeed!! The Sales Room stayed open until 4, giving everyone a chance to buy whatever they wished..It was also open to the public, at this time, so we had afew curious people wandering through wondering what this Golliwogg thing was all about! At the same time, Camie Rundeen opened an optional workshop for people who like to keep their hands busy.. Our Banquet started at 6..again we had more gifts on the table..a superb six sided block puzzle, showing 6 different pictures of the Golliwogg at the Seaside book, and a sweet little Golly in a boat…The centre piece, later won by Kay De Mattei on our table, was a magnificient spring headed Golly in a bathing suit, along side a peg doll, and both of them in a small boat, created and put together by Patti Blair….keeping to the theme of the book…Dinner was great, with a salad, followed by Pork, Chicken or Veggie, and a fruit tart dessert…Our resident Golly made an appearance, dressed in a furry swim suit,and danced around the room, having pictures taken with everyone…. ….and then onward ever onward…we adjourned to the next room for the auction…Sixty items in all, and our usual famous Auctioneer, Jean-Paul Port did the honours, keeping everyone entertained and managing to extract money from lots of people!! A percentage of the auction goes to the Gollyfest fund for next time, but usually anyone can put stuff in..Highlight of the evening was an original Golliwogg at War book, that caused a real battle between the Quinlans and Kay DeMattei, but finally went for $400, and will be residing in the Golliwogg section of Susan Quinlans Childhood Museum in Santa Barbara California. A good time was had by all, as some piled into the bar, and some piled into bed! At 9am Friday morning we gathered once again for the competition viewing and voting..There are always several categories in which the talented can enter their own creations, or something which they have brought previously, or a favourite childhood toy…After the voting…we adjourned for a buffet brunch and chat..Brunch consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, fruit, cheese blintz, croissants tea and coffee and juice..leaving most of us groaning as we finished up! Two more presentations by Jan Ross followed, her collection of golly hankies, and seaside postcards….and them more ‘show and tell’ as people had bought other favourite items and stories to share with the rest of us… Going on in another room, was a needle felting workshop, led by Rayna Shore from New Zealand…. This Gollyfest, as usual was quite international, having delegates from New Zealand. Australia. England, Canada,…. and quite afew of these United States were represented as well…. Each Gollyfest has two raffles, one for the Gollyfest coffers, and one for a designated charity..This years was decided to be the renovation of the gravestone of Florence Upton..who rests in High gate Cemetary in Hampstead London, and who’s stone has been lying prone on the ground for some time..If you visit there, ask the Curator for the Golliwog lady, he’ll know exactly where it is!!! There are always lots of raffle prizes, which are donated by the Sales Room vendors, as well as anyone else who desires to… so mostly you are very unlucky not to get anything at all.. Finally we came to our final ‘High Tea’ consisting of finger sandwhiches, scones, clotted cream and jam, and small fancy cakes..(Won’t be eating dinner tonight that’s for sure!!!!) We had more presents, a lovely hankie with a print of the Golliwogg at the Seaside, and a sweet bendy type Golly…Bet they will start off afew new collectors or collections for some people! Goodbyes were said, with hugs all round, and everyone departed for their separate journeys home…Upon the final farewell, we were presented with a lovely reverse painted glass Christmas decoration..mine had a Golly with a Mermaid. Now some of the people will be staying for the Teddy Bear Show, which is on tomorrow, some, like me, will be heading north for home, some like Goll and George Draper are off to Las Vegas, and some, like Dot and Stuart Gillet will be flying home to Australia…Wherever and whatever, I wish everyone a speedy and safe return to the next Gollyfest!!!! If you are interested in joining in the next convention, please contact gollyfest@aol.com I promise you, you will love it!