Welcome to sonsfestsd2026
The Sonfestsd2026 Committee & the Saps At Sea San Diego Oasis #30 want to welcome everyone to the 24th International Sons Of The Desert Convention on June 21-25, 2026! We are thrilled, honored & humbled to be your hosts. We will be celebrating the centennial anniversary of Stan & Babe working as a team at Hal Roach Studios 1926-2026
Our hotel will be the beautiful Legacy International Resort & Spa which is located in the Hotel Circle South area of Mission Valley in the heart of the city of San Diego
Since we are still about a year away, we are still putting our noses to the grindstone & putting the final touches on our convention itinerary. On Sunday afternoon, since we will have nothing better to do, we will have the first registration. Then we will have the opening presentation, followed by an informal welcoming mixer with cash bar & hors d’oeuvres with hard-boiled eggs & nuts, perhaps? We will also open up the dealer's room and film screening room from maybe 9pm till midnight. There will be more films & opportunities for the dealer’s room throughout the convention.
On Monday, we want to show off some of this gorgeous city by going coach to historic Old Town San Diego, which is the birthplace of California.
Then, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier to honor ALL veterans, past & present!
In the evening, we will have a fabulous dinner cruise with City Cruises in the San Diego Bay-the literal Saps at Sea cruise with film screenings & music.
On Tuesday, we will have a fun day filled pee-wee & golf + other outdoor activities. Then, Mr. Marc Wanamaker, the esteemed Historian Extraordinaire, will have a special presentation of: The Lot Of Fun- the history of Hal Roach Studios!
A special film show program inside the 500 seat movie theatre at The Legacy Event Center follows later.
Our own fellow Sap, convention committee member & world-famous, professional silent film accompanist/organist extraordinaire-Mr. Russ Peck, will play the silent portion of the program!
On Wednesday, after we take meticulous care with which we have executed our finely formulated machinations, such as the traditional quiz & author’s panel, we will have our evening formal banquet hosted by the exhausted Grand Sheik, Mr. Rick Greene and the great Way Out West Tent of North Hollywood. Entertainment will be provided with vintage, authentic period music by the fabulous, Mr. Dean Mora & Orchestra! On Thursday, we will have a farewell Sons breakfast & meeting in the main hall. Throughout the convention, we will also have special appearances by those fine thespians- Jamie McKenna & Bill Leavy as Stan & Ollie! We will offer day & event passes for many of the events each day of the convention. We are exhilarated to hear the positive buzz about San Diego. We will give you as wonderful four days as we can, but the success rests with you. We will look outside the box and be creative and innovative. If anyone would like to help us defray convention costs by becoming a convention donor, we would appreciate your benevolence. We will list all donors in our program (with your permission of course, or you may be "anonymous") Please contact the Convention Committee at jolie116mm@aol.com about being a donor. Thank you so much! Much more to follow as it all unfolds, including possible pre & post convention activities such as a baseball game at Petco Park, a trip to the world-famous San Diego Zoo & the Hotel Del Coronado. .We hope to see you all in Diego in June 2026! Cheers, sonsfestsd2026 committee
