The Scarborough Joke Shop’s Annual Pilgrimage to Blackpool

Every year, without fail, we load up the van, triple-check the thumb tips, wedge in at least one rubber chicken, and make the journey to the legendary

Blackpool Magic Convention.

And every year, it’s bigger, busier and more brilliant than the last.

If you’ve never been, imagine this:

• Packed aisles of magicians deep in discussion

• Dealers demoing effects at full speed

• Cards flying

• Laughter breaking out every few minutes

• That constant hum of “Wait… do that again.”

That’s Blackpool.

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The Dealer Hall: Controlled Chaos (The Good Kind)

The video says it all.

Tables absolutely stacked. Close-up magic laid out like treasure maps. Props being picked up, tested, examined. Conversations happening three-deep at the front of the stand while someone at the side is whispering, “Right… here’s the real secret.”

That’s how it should be.

We don’t do minimal displays.

We do working magic. Practical pieces. Solid props. Effects you’ll actually use.

You could see it on people’s faces in the footage — that moment when something clicks. When a magician realises:

“That’ll go straight into my set.”

That’s why we go.

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Old Friends, New Faces

One of the best parts captured on video is the atmosphere.

It isn’t just buying and selling.

It’s:

• Reuniting with magicians we only see once a year

• Meeting younger performers discovering their first proper magic convention

• Late-night chats about routines, resets and real-world gigs

• The quiet “have you seen this?” moments

Blackpool is magic in every sense of the word.

And it reminds us why the traditional magic shop still matters.

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What Makes Our Stand Different?

We’re not the biggest dealer there.

We’re not the loudest.

But we are hands-on.

You can see in the footage how everything is laid out to be handled. Picked up. Tried. Understood.

We bring:

• Solid close-up workers

• Reliable gimmicks

• Smart utility props

• A few classic joke items (because we are who we are)

No gimmicky hype. Just magic that earns its keep.

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Why We Keep Making the Trip

Because Blackpool isn’t just an event.

It’s a reset.

It recharges the batteries. It brings new ideas. It reminds us that live magic is thriving. That people still want real reactions. Real astonishment. Real laughter.

And every year, we come back to Scarborough inspired.

With new ideas.
New stock.
New conversations.
And usually less voice than we left with.

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See You Next Year?

If you were there and visited us — thank you.

If you’re thinking of going next year — do it.

Come and find us in the dealer hall. We’ll be the stand with:

• A slightly ridiculous amount of stock

• Practical miracles

• A Yorkshire welcome

• And probably a rubber chicken somewhere it shouldn’t be

Blackpool is the highlight of the magic calendar.

And we’re proud to be part of it.