Miamisburg 2024 - August 24th - 25th anniversary!!!

[Shootist]

Another Miamisburg is in the history books. My family and I had a great time at the University of Cincinnati. John Markus is a knowledgeable host and always has the answer to our spin top questions. Thank you John for your friendship and hard work. My family really enjoys going to the Whirled Spin Top Festival and we want to thank Mike and Dawn for all you do to make this event a success. Eli and I met new people and old friends and we always enjoy spinning tops with them. We are looking forward to next year and all the fun.

[ta0]

As is the tradition, Sunday's mass at St. Jacob had some spinning during the children's sermon. This time a complete show by Jim:









At one point, Mike played the piano with the left hand while spinning a mougee cloth spinner on the right hand.
I bet the congregation loves to brag to their friends about how fun their Pastor is.

[ta0]

The Hall of Fame has expanded from the L-shaped space to the contiguous garage:





I hear it will eventually expand to the attic above the garage. Mike surely has enough material to fill it up (and Don is still finding more for him).
By the way, Salvador promised to send his modified and repaired tennis shoes once he is done kicking tops with them.

[ta0]

Jose's son Felix competed in the freestyles and did well.
He also tried some of Jim's props:





I think he does more yo-yos than tops, but he will outgrow the yo-yos eventually!
I was so glad to see Jose after so many years. I got one of his flexible Relampago tops and I will put it to use with his patch.

Mike competed using one hand for the top and the other to spin a mougee. This adds to his freestyles using stilts, rolla bola, unicycle, hurdles and I'm forgetting some more props. Jim went last, as we let him do his show for as long as he wanted (but we only score tricks he does with a top, and only in the first 3 minutes).

I didn't have luck getting other people to throw the Tuj Lub, but at least I got some practice. Owen did join me for the long distance Taiwanese throw.

David Cain, who owns the Juggling Museum and is a historian of the art, was a the festival and he gave a workshop on knot juggling (making knots with a rope that is tossed around).

I have a few more photos, but I know Jay will soon post his dump of photos and videos. And Rachel promised to post some of her photos.

[JNeff]

Where to begin.
Thank you to Mike and Dawn for hosting another great festival. Thank you for feeding us. Many thanks to everyone for making it such wonderful event. The week-end went way too fast. It was nice finally meeting Judith and Pop Top for the first time. I want to thank all the attendees who made the event such a wonderful time. Mike... I think we wore you out on Saturday. By the end of the night you looked as beat up as I did. But worth it. Already... I can't wait til next year. Hopefully there will be a 26th.

[ta0]

It was wonderful to see Poptop (Brian) back in the scene and to play together. He was very kind to change from judge to competitor to make the freestyles more interesting.

I met new forum member razerface (Jon). He has a very complete collection of S8 tops. I could give him some advice and he made some great progress in little time.

Pretty cool that after 13 years of spinning and 11 trips to Miamisburg I finally was able to secure my 8 trick patch.

Yeah, and the 16, 24 and freestyle patches!
You were half-way to the Ta0 patch but people were too hungry and unfortunately we had to stop.

[Texture]

Awesome to see another successful event! I'm still bummed as heck I missed this year....

Jose, congrats on the Nationals win! We'll have to get in touch and see if I can get you the trophy as quickly as possible.

[the Earl of Whirl]

I appreciate everyone’s positive posts, despite the fact that everything was not perfect. Top spinners, though, are great at adapting and making things work. For instance, it was hotter than it was all week. People moved in and out when needed and the shade made it bearable outside. A clock in our fellowship hall was still on an old time and an hour behind. It threw some people off and we had trouble getting nationals started in a timely fashion. People chatted and patiently waited while Jim Neff flew a paper bird around the hall. The downtown was extremely busy (as it has been since our new park was finished) and it took a long time to be served at Bullwinkle’s. Plus, the sun was in people’s eyes and they seemed uncomfortable. We did what we could to pass the time and pass the sunset and eventually had a nice meal together. Yes, I really appreciate everyone’s patience and the way we worked together to share ideas, equipment and more.

[Kirk]

Wow finally back home! Rachel and I have been whirled in more ways than one, having visited, worked, played and learned in 4 towns in one week. We expected the top fest to be one of the highlights and we were not disappointed. (Except that the fun went by too fast!)
It is not possible to thank Mike and Dawn enough for all the effort that makes the event happen. You two are a joy and a blessing to all of us.
Some of my favorite highlights: teaching a few tricks to Tory and Jon, learning how to start a 7" Marcus top (The one that I won in the raffle will now get a lot more spin time) (It is now possible to to get my snap start certification. film at 11), Chatting with Judith and Doug over ice cream and lunch, and lots more.
Happy Happy News: I just now found my missing QuickSilver bearing. It had fallen into a corner that I did know existed in of one of my bags. I had expected that this was the case, but it took a long time to find it!

[ta0]

I appreciate everyone’s positive posts, despite the fact that everything was not perfect.

Hey Mike! The weather was perfect for me (I like it on the warm side). The busy downtown made it more lovely and we had plenty to talk about while waiting for the food. And the sun sets at the horizon everyday, so we won't hold it against you (I doubt any amount of prayer would have caused an eclipse).

I told people at the festival that the Figaro Gallery had close to 200 players. It actually has 273 players now! The latest additions were razerface and The Top Lady.

https://www.ta0.com/photos/figaro_gallery.html

[the Earl of Whirl]

Nice photos. I changed the clock!!!

[the Earl of Whirl]

I just got a text from Judith. They arrived safely back home after all of their travels. It was really special having her with us and sharing her amazing movie stories!!! I found it fascinating that Doug grew up in the same neighborhood as Jim Schreiber……108th and Wentworth. My oldest son and I went there once. As ta0 says “that is pretty much the birthplace of regeneration.”

[the Earl of Whirl]

Hmmm. I have tried twice to load a picture but not getting anywhere

Admin Note: the photo service was not showing new photos yesterday, but now it seems to be working.

[Jay]

Hello to everyone and thanks to Mike for another great event. I always enjoy seeing everyone and all the talent and fun that comes with that each year. I am a bit behind in everything, because of my wife's surgeries. In short, she had a back procedure on the Monday after TOPS and heart surgery on the Tuesday. There is a lot of recovery and things to be done, so not much time for editing. Everything went ok and we will go forward with the next things needed.

I enjoyed the weekend distraction, knowing that was coming up. For now, I have the pics on my Flickr. Everyone can access them from there. I will also be sharing on Facebook. Then I will be working on the Vid/Vids. I will post them here as I upload them. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBGfh2

Another bit of news is that Mark Leithead will return to Canada in a month or so. I was not sure if he would remain in China for a very long time or not. I am sure you guys will see him around at some time on the tops circuit

[ta0]

Thanks a lot Jay!
I wish your wife a speedy recovery.

Nats players flanked by the 2 judges:

2024 Miamisburg Tops by Sammy1000 aka Jay, on Flickr

I know you took much more video than photos!