sonsfestsd2026 Itinerary
As we are still putting our noses to the grindstone and for the meticulous care with which we have executed our finely formulated machinations in extricating us from this devastating dilemma, we are putting the final touches on our convention itinerary to put our best foot forward. This page was updated on March 19, 2026, but please note that any part of this itinerary is subject to change...
We are pleased to offer some small group events both before & after the convention. For details, please visit the Pre/Post Convention Pages by clicking on the San Diego Coronado Cays Harbor image (Pre), the Panda Bear image (Post) or on the Convention Itinerary icon at the top .
--------------------------------------------
Saturday, June 20, 2026 Pre-Convention Event
10 am Bus trip to the HOTEL DEL CORONADO & CABRILLO POINT LOMA
Bus returns to LEGACY HOTEL around 6 pm. Exact times at each venue is TBD.
Sunday, June 21 -Convention Day 1 :
Breakfast and/or lunch on your own.
THERESA’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE @ THE LEGACY HOTEL opens for breakfast at 6:30 am.
1:30 pm- DEALER’S SETUP begins in the PAVILION LOWER-LEVEL GLASS ROOM
for the dealers & convention storage.
2 pm– 5:30 pm REGISTRATION DESK in the LEGACY PAVILION LOWER LEVEL
In the ROACH BACKLOT PRESENTATION ROOM:
2:30 pm- 4 pm PRESENTATION #1 with RANDY SKRETVEDT
4 pm- 5 pm PRESENTATION #2 with CHRIS BUNGO VIDEO:
LAUREL & HARDY FILM SITE LOCATIONS
5 pm- 6 pm TBD-
2 pm- 5:30 pm CINEMA in the IRV HYATT/DAVE WYATT SCREENING ROOM:
1) PERFECT DAY (20 minutes)
2) HOG WILD (20)
3) ME AND MY PAL (20)
4) BUSY BODIES (20)
5) JITTERBUGS (75)
5:30 pm- 6 pm Relax time.
6 pm OUTSIDE PAVILION AREA: PARADE OF TENTS
6 pm- 8:30 pm THE FOUNTAINS CAFÉ inside the PAVILION LOWER-LEVEL:
EVENING MIXER with hors d’oeuvres & cash bar.
9 pm-12 midnight CLIFF SAWYER DEALER’S EMPORIUM will be open.
8:30 pm- 12 midnight CINEMA SCREENING in the HYATT/WYATT SCREENING ROOM
1) TOWED IN A HOLE (20)
2) BLOTTO SILENT VERSION (30)
3) "STAN" TRIBUTE DOCUMENTARY BY MARC De CONINCK (30)
4) BRATS SILENT VERSION (20)
5) OUR RELATIONS (75)
Monday, June 22-Convention Day 2:
Breakfast on your own. THERESA'S @ THE LEGACY opens at 6:30 am.
9 am-10 am REGISTRATION continues in the PAVILION FOYER LOWER-LEVEL
9 am-10 am THE ROACH BACKLOT with BILL OATES: JAMES FINLAYSON
10 am BUS TRIP to OLD TOWN, USS MIDWAY AIRCRAFT CARRIER & DINNER CRUISE
with City Experiences (formerly The Hornblower).
Bus returns to Legacy Hotel around 10 to 11 pm.
*****************************************************************************************
NOTE: for those who opt out of bus trip, the Hyatt/Wyatt Cinema Room will be open from 10 am-12 noon & 1 pm- 4:30 pm (with a lunch break in-between). At 5 pm, a vehicle will arrive to take The Legacy group to the dock for the evening cruise.
In the HYATT/WYATT CINEMA ROOM:
The film program: "LAUREL AND HARDY: TOGETHER AGAIN”
1983 DOCUMENTARY BY BOB LANG
-Lunch break from 12 noon-1 pm-
From 1 pm- 4:30 pm film program resumes with:
1) WITH LOVE AND HISSES (20)
2) WAY OUT WEST (65)
3) THEM THAR HILLS (20)
4) TIT FOR TAT (20)
5) BLOCKHEADS (58)
At 5 pm SHARP- TRANSPORTATION PICKUP TO BOAT DOCK
*****************************************************************************************
10 am- 10:15 am MAIN GROUP boards buses to HISTORIC OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO.
10:30 am-1:30 pm WALK AROUND HISTORIC OLD TOWN. Lunch on your own.
1:30 pm BUS PICKUP TO USS MIDWAY AIRCRAFT MUSEUM
2 pm- 5 pm-Walk around USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
5 pm- 6 pm Relax time. It is a short walk across pier to embarkation point for dinner cruise on City Experiences San Diego.
6 pm LINEUP AT EMBARKATION POINT for the SAPS AT SEA DINNER CRUISE.
6:30 pm- 9:30 pm- Buffet dinner, cash bar, nautical video screenings of:
SAPS AT SEA, SAILORS BEWARE, MEN O’ WAR
At approximately 10 pm, board buses for Legacy Hotel.
Theresa's Bar @ The Legacy Hotel (for a little teensy-weensy) will stay open as late as needed for the Sons of the Desert!
Tuesday, June 23-Convention Day 3:
Breakfast on your own. THERESA'S @ THE LEGACY opens at 6:30 am.
9 am- 10 am REGISTRATION in the PAVILION LOWER-LEVEL
9 am-11 am CLIFF SAWYER DEALERS EMPORIUM
9 am- 11:00 am CINEMA SESSION in the HYATT/WYATT CINEMA ROOM:
SPOTLIGHT ON A MASSACHUSETTS GAL- THELMA TODD’s 120TH BIRTHDAY:
1) UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE (20)
2) ANOTHER FINE MESS (30)
3) PIP FROM PITTSBURGH WITH CHARLIE CHASE (20)
4) CHICKENS COME HOME (30)
5) ON THE LOOSE (20)
9 am- 10:30 am OUTDOOR FUN & ACTIVITIES INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF THE PAVILION:
PEE WEE & GOLF PUTT IN COURTYARD
ME AND MY PAL PUZZLE & ASSORTED GAMES
In the ROACH BACKLOT:
10 am-11:30 am AUTHORS SESSION #1: TBD
12 noon- 1 pm PLATED LUNCHEON IN THE FOUNTAINS CAFÉ
In the ROACH BACKLOT:
1:30 pm- 3 pm AUTHORS SESSION #2: TBD
3 pm- 5 pm CLIFF SAWYER DEALER’S EMPORIUM
In the ROACH BACKLOT:
3 pm- 5 pm with MARC WANAMAKER PRESENTING: HAL ROACH & THE LOT OF FUN
5 pm- 6 pm Relax time.
6 pm HOT DOG STAND & CASH BAR opens in THE PAVILION FOYER. RAFFLE TICKET SALES will be available.
6:30 pm DOORS OPEN to the HAL ROACH THEATRE
7 pm-10:45 pm FILM SHOW with RUSS PECK-ORGANIST & JEFF JOSEPH-PRESENTER of SILENT FILMS:
1927- BATTLE OF THE CENTURY (20)
1928- WE FAW DOWN (20)
1929 LIBERTY (20)
TALKIES: THE MUSIC BOX (30), SONS OF THE DESERT (68)
10:45 pm-???? THERESA’S BAR @ THE LEGACY will be open late.
Wednesday, June 24-Convention Day 4:
Breakfast on your own. THERESA’S @ THE LEGACY opens at 6:30 am.
In the ROACH BACKLOT:
9:30 am- 10:30 am GRAND COUNCIL MEETING
10:30 am- 12 noon TRIVIA CONTEST WITH QUIZ MASTER RICK GREENE
12 noon- 1:30 pm Lunch on your own.
1 pm- 3 pm LAST CHANCE CLIFF SAWYER DEALER’S EMPORIUM
From 1 pm- 3:30 pm In the HYATT/WYATT CINEMA ROOM:
1) DOUBLE WHOOPEE (20)
2) "OLLIE" TRIBUTE DOCUMENTARY BY MARC De CONINCK (30)
3) PACK UP YOURTROUBLES (68)
4) COME CLEAN (20)
In the ROACH BACKLOT:
2 pm- 3:15 pm PRESENTATION #1: with KEN MITCHRONEY:
LAUREL & HARDY IN COMICS
3:30 pm- 5pm PRESENTATION #2: with MIKE JONES OF BEAU CHUMPS SUNDERLAND:
THE JEFFERSON FAMILY IN THE UK
5 pm- 6 pm Relax time.
5 pm NOTE FOR DEALERS: Must clear out the CLIFF SAWYER DEALER’S EMPORIUM. If you wish, you may put stuff in the secured GLASS ROOM in the PAVILION LOWER-LEVEL until Thursday for safekeeping.
6 pm In the LEGACY CENTER/GLOBE BANQUET HALL aka THE PINK PUP NIGHTCLUB: A cash bar will be open & 50/50 RAFFLE TICKETS will be available. The formal event begins at 7pm. Everyone is encouraged to dress in vintage, military or Hal Roach related attire of your choice from the era spanning early 1900’s-1940’s.
At 7:00 pm, in the PINK PUP NIGHTCLUB, the WAY OUT WEST/SAPS AT SEA BANQUET proudly presents: introductions, toasts, national anthems, tributes to veterans of all countries, 50/50 raffle, Dean Mora and his orchestra with guest vocalist-Nigel Dreiner, and much more…
7:30 pm- 8:30 pm FULL PLATED DINNER, then music & dancing, for your pleasure!
DEAN MORA & ORCHESTRA:
8:30 pm- 9:30 pm MUSIC SET ONE 1920's
9:45 pm- 10:30 pm MUSIC SET TWO 1930's
10:45 pm-12 midnight MUSIC SET THREE-WWII
Thursday, June 25-Convention Day 5:
NOTE: The official Legacy Hotel checkout time is 11 am. At no charge, they can hold your luggage securely at the front desk. Please plan accordingly. If you require a “later checkout”, please enquire at the front desk at check-in.
9 am-11 am: CONVENTION BREAKFAST BUFFET In the FOUNTAINS CAFÉ:
Awards presentations, acknowledgements, passing of pineapple, goodbyes…
After the breakfast until 1 pm, DEALER’S TEARDOWN in the PAVILION LOWER-LEVEL GLASS ROOM for the dealers & convention storage.
Post Convention Event immediately following the breakfast:
At approximately 12 noon: BOARD BUS to the SAN DIEGO ZOO
Tour the SAN DIEGO ZOO until closing time.
Bus back to THE LEGACY HOTEL.
*****************************************************************************************
Please keep in mind that any portion of this "work-in-progress" itinerary could change at any time. We will do our best to keep everyone up-to-date. For any/all inquiries, please contact the Convention Chairman- Dave Greim at:
A final draft of the itinerary will be in the official convention program, as well as in each goodie bag.
Cheers,
The sonsfestsd2026 Committee
