Welcome to sonsfestsd2026
The Saps At Sea San Diego Tent Oasis #30 wants to welcome everyone to the
24th International Sons Of The Desert Convention
to be held on June 21-25, 2026!
Celebrating the centennial anniversary of Stan & Babe working as a team at
Hal Roach Studios 1926-2026
Announcements-Reminders-Information
Updated on February 24, 2026
(Not your official) Convention Shirts
As of February 18: The yellow special edition shirts are selling out! Buy one now before they're history! We now have only 3XL and 11 mediums only. $40 each. Please email jolie116mm@aol.com
Legacy Hotel Room Reservations
We are pleased to announce that a 2nd block of rooms has opened up at the convention base price of $239 per night. Taxes & fees added at time of booking. We want to fill the hotel with official delegates as soon as possible! Please visit our Legacy Hotel page for more details. Dates include: 6/17-6/29.
Full Pass Early Bird Price Extended!
The Early Bird Price of $400 for a FULL CONVENTION PASS has been extended, if postmarked by February 28, 2026 Register for your FULL PASS now! Partial Pass prices are not affected.
Way Out West Banquet in The Legacy Center
This fun event on 6/24 will include: vintage music by Dean Mora & his orchestra, a salute to ALL Veterans, a delicious plated dinner, dancing, a few surprises & much more! We encourage everyone to dress in your favorite vintage attire!
The Cliff Sawyer Dealer's Emporium Information
Note to all Dealers: Upon arrival at The Legacy, please contact Dave Greim or David Webb for access to the Cliff Sawyer Dealer's Emporium. Access hours will be from Sunday 6/20 at 4pm until Thursday 6/25 at 12 noon.
Pre Event Bus Trip is almost sold out!
The Pre-Convention Bus Trip to the Hotel Del Coronado/Point Loma has only 2 out of 35 slots remaining as of February 8. Hurry to pre-register now!
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach January 14, 1892-November 2, 1992 Elmira, New York
Arthur Stanley Jefferson 'Stan Laurel'
June 16 1890 – February 23, 1965
Ulverston, England
Oliver Norvell Hardy January 18, 1892-August 7, 1957
Harlem, Georgia
A Message from the Laurel Family
On behalf of my grandmother and the entire Laurel family,
we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone joining us at sonsfestsd2026.
My grandmother, Lois Laurel Hawes, was a lifelong advocate of the Sons of the Desert and deeply cherished preserving the legacy of her father, Stan Laurel
and his dear friend, Oliver Hardy. Thanks to all of you, that legacy lives on. Stan’s timeless humor and Oliver’s warm presence created a legacy built on laughter, kindness, and love. As my grandmother often reminded me-“We’re not a fan club—we’re an appreciation society”, and as a family, we truly appreciate your continued dedication. Gramma also used to speak to me often about the importance of living a purposeful and passionate life—loving what you do, leading rather than following, and remembering that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s a principle I believe her father lived by, one I’ve tried to embody in my own life, and something I hope to pass on to my children as well. We’re so grateful for each of you who continue to carry the torch. Without your dedication, none of this would be possible. So here’s to love, to laughter, and to legacy.
We’ll see you in 2026! Cassidy Cook
A sonsfestsd2026 sampling of what's to come...
Our formal banquet will be hosted by our good friends at the Way Out West Tent
of North Hollywood/LosAngeles
(Pictured here are: Bob Satterfield, Jimmy Wiley III,
Bob Duncan, Grand Sheik Rick Greene, David Rodriguez)
Mr. Russ Peck, our own organist extraordinaire and fellow Sap will be providing the live musical entertainment for our theatrical showing
Mr. Randy Skretvedt, famed radio host, historian, and author extraordinaire, will be making a very special presentation!
Mr. Marc Wanamaker, noted author, historian, and filmmaker will be giving a special presentation about the Lot Of Fun:
A History of the Hal Roach Studios
Mr. Jordan Young, noted author, historian, playwright and native of Culver City, will talk about interviewing George Marshall and Jess Robbins.
The incredible, Mr. Dean Mora and his orchestra, will be providing a special musical presentation!
Mr. Jamie McKenna and Mr. Bill Leavy, those fine thespians, will be with us throughout the convention.
sonsfestsd2026 is proud to be the voice of the Saps At Sea San Diego Tent Oasis #30
Please visit our Saps page on this site!
A personal message from the Webmaster...
From all of us here at sonsfestsd2026, we are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of one of our fellow beloved Sons and great pal, Mr. Craig Lightowler. When we were at the Harrogate Convention in May of 2025, before the launch of this website, Craig graciously signed on to be a special advisor to the making of our site. I will forever be grateful for his kindness, wisdom, good humor & his dedication to sonsfestsd2026. Craig encouraged me to make this project as a labor of love & from the heart. I sincerely hope that we did just that. We could not have launched this website without him. Our site will be dedicated to him. Our deepest condolences go out to Katherine, Freya, Ian & the entire Lightowler family. We will miss you Craig, always. God Bless, David
A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up to help & support the Lightowler family. Here is the direct link: https://gofund.me/71ae408e6
Special Limited Edition Shirts For Sale
This beautifully made, button down shirt is 100% polyester. The convention logo was designed by Ken Mitcheroney. We still have limited quantities of small, medium, large & extra large sizes for only $40 or 30 British Pounds. Shipping extra, unless making an in-person purchase. All proceeds benefit the convention. Only 100 total were commissioned by Rick Greene and they are selling like hotcakes! This is NOT the official convention t-shirt for $25. The t-shirts will be available at the convention. The limited edition yellow shirts are selling fast and once they are gone, they're gone! To order yours, please contact Dave Greim at: jolie116mm@aol.com
