Atlanta, GA Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2026 at the Yaraab Shrine Center

Festival report by Charles Shapiro

Photos of the festival by Joyce Howard, Jay Ko and others

Videos of the festival by Jay Ko, Official Videographer

Videos of the festival by others

Yaraab Shrine Tylers - Greg Martin, Mark Martin

 

Games

Director - Spencer Schwab

Assistant - Madelyn Dinnerstein

Games Winners

• 3-Ball Simon Says - Max Housman
• 5-Ball Endurance - 1st Ethan "Boy Scout" Smith, 2nd Dan Brown
• Club Balancing - Ethan "Boy Scout" Smith
• Club Crown - Jacob Tillman
• Quarters - Dan Brown
• 7-Club Passing - Josh Spaugh and Kyle Owen
• Blind Juggling - Austin Bruckner
• Huggling - Josh and Caleb Black
• Ball Combat Juggling - Austin Bruckner
• Club Combat Juggling - Josh Black

  

Competition

Director and MC - Dan Howard

Stagehands - Charlotte Howard, Richard Kennison

Raffle Director - Austin Childs

Raffle Runner - Virginia Howard and Charlotte

Judges Wrangler - Jonathan Perry

Timer - Maya Perry

Judges - Annie, ?, ?

Sound - Kelly Macklin

Passing the Hat - Dan Brown and young helpers

Entertainer while judges deliberate - Uriyah Keith McNeil

Entertainment by the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable Band

Competitors

• Andie Mars (Richmond VA)
• Ethan Smith (Little Rock AR)
• Blayk Puckett (Little Rock AR)
• Kyle Owen (Little Rock AR)
• Arnar Rathi (Cinncinnati OH)
• Ziggy McCurley (Zaptacular Land)
• Jackie and Skye (Gainesville FL)
• Austin Bruckner (Bolivia NC)
• Stephen Doutt (Philadelphia PA)
• Rocco and Nova (Atlanta GA)

2026 PHIL Groundhog trophy winners

• "Totally RAD" - Austin Bruckner
• "Wicked Cool" - Jackie and Skye
• "Zooming Hot" - Rocco and Nova
  
  

Workshops

Director - Logan Pearce

Entire schedule with leaders and descriptions

 

Cabaret

Director - Bruce Plott

Sound - Craig Lewis, Kelly Macklin

Stage Manager - Dan Howard

MC - DrewBob Ford

• Larry Vee - Junk
• Ziggy - Dreaming of Machines
• Zared Henry - Beatbox
• Nick Hanson - Equilibristics
• Gravity - Club passing
• Tyler Cartwright - Sign spinning
• Tohm Pace - Toothbrush
• DrewBob presents Mouse Award to Logan Pearce
• Bradley Harris - 3 balls
• Rocco - glow clubs

  

Vendors and Sponsors

• Handles by Nick Hanson
• Seed and Feed Marching Abominable Band
• Chuck Lazarow (donated nametags and wristbands)
• Food Vendor Warung Indonesian Halal Restaurant selling chicken, beef and vegetarian dishes, rice, drinks and snacks

 

More Festival Volunteers

It was great having so many volunteers helping put on the festival!

Location Negotiations and Contract - Joyce Howard

Vendor Coordinator and Raffle - Austin and Kelley Childs

Publicity, Social Media and Website - Joyce Howard

Treasurer - Jay Jones

Registration - Austin and Kelley Childs, Jay Jones

Nametags and Wristbands - Chuck Lazarow, Spencer Schwab, Jay Jones

Trophies - Walter Beals and Spencer Schwab

Artwork for T-shirt, Nametags, Wristbands and Trophies - Andrew Austin, John Jessmon, Chuck Lazarow

Festival booklet - Andrew Austin

Facilities Director - Alan Tidwell

Transport, Setup and Takedown Helpers - Alan Tidwell, Austin and Kelley Childs, Charles Shapiro, Dan Howard, Jay Jones, Joyce Howard, Ray Stern, Logan Pearce, Graham Daniel, Madelyn Dinnerstein, Bruce Plott, Natalie Hazen, Calvin Robinson, Ziggy, Daniel Dames and many others

Transport of visitors - Charles Shapiro, DrewBob Ford, Alan Tidwell

AJA Banner Setup and Takedown - Andy Ford

Forms, Signs, Posters - Logan Pearce, Graham Daniel

Workshops Director - Logan Pearce

Workshop Leaders - Logan Pearce, Kerstin, Jeff, Alan Tidwell, Graham Daniel, Andrew Austin, DrewBob, Natalie Hazen, Larry Vee

Glow Night Director - Natalie Hazen

Maté and Snacks - Bruce Plott, Natalie Hazen, Dan Howard and others

Kids Korner, Water and Cups - Ray Stern

Post Festival Dinner Coordinator & Festival Reporter - Charles Shapiro

Hosts for out-of-town Guests - Shivella Schwab, Austin and Kelley Childs, Bruce Plott, Jimmy Robertson, Charles Shapiro and others