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
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
Announcements-Reminders-Information
Updated on June 8, 2026
AHOY ALL!
As Ollie told his rather suspicious wife, Lottie, in Sons of the Desert, "that's all their is. There isn't anymore!"
Our convention registrations have now closed for MOST events; in particular the meals.
The cruise, luncheon, banquet, and breakfast are closed.
We CAN still take pre-orders for the Tuesday night theatrical film show,
or tickets can be bought at the door for $20 in cash.
Also, if anyone would want to get a day pass, WITHOUT the meal, we'll offer a Tuesday pass (which includes the film show, but not lunch) for $60. We'll offer a Wednesday day pass (without banquet) for $50. These are both good deals, as we will offer several fine presentations plus Laurel and Hardy cinema and dealers room to shop. Help us fly the flag for Stan and Ollie! For details, please contact: DAVE GREIM jolie116mm@aol.com
Legacy Hotel bookings are now full!
Here are your other best options:
Holiday Inn Express Mission Valley (an IHG Hotel) 635 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108
1-833-314-4387 www.ihg.com
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Courtyard By Marriott Mission Valley 595 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108
1-619-291-5720 www.marriott.com
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Both of these hotels are right next door on the east side to our convention host hotel, The Legacy. It is a very short walk between each hotel around the front curbside. There is no special room rate. Each hotel has different amenities & pricing depending on your preferences.
Important plea from Convention Chairman, Dave Greim-
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Please note: we don't want you, we want the other monkey!
We'd appreciate the prompt infusion of cash into our coffers.
If there are any tents or individuals who can find it in their hearts and/or budgets to help sponsor or donate financially to our convention, please let me know. Thanks!
Dave Greim jolie116mm@aol.com
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Dealer's Information
To Dealers: If you have reserved a hotel room, please first check into the hotel at the main hotel reservation desk inside The Legacy Hotel. Then, check in at the convention registration counter located on the lower level of The Legacy Pavilion to gain access to your Dealer's Storage Glass Room & the Cliff Sawyer Dealer's Emporium. Legacy campus maps should be provided by front desk hotel staff, if you don't already have one.
These venues are also located in the lower level of The Legacy Pavilion building.
Access hours to Dealer's storage will be from Sunday 6/20 at 1:30pm
until Thursday 6/25 at 1 pm.
No matter what method you take to get here,
we want to welcome everyone to San Diego...
Please stay tuned for airport & other important travel information in preparation for your arrival to our fine city.
In the meantime, please enjoy our Getting Around San Diego Page
on this website!
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!
We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Sunshine (Nigel Dreiner) has returned to perform at the Laurel & Hardy Festival in San Diego in June!
He will be singing with Dean Mora and his Orchestra - lots of fun on the way!
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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!
Mr. Jamie McKenna and Mr. Bill Leavy, those fine thespians, will be with us throughout the convention.
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
