You may have seen and heard about Holmes in the Heartland, but have you really observed what all is happening in St. Louis on July 28-30? We are packed to the gills with a weekend full of Sherlockian events, speakers, vendors, sites, and surprises. This is a weekend you won't want to miss!
The weekend kicks off on Friday afternoon with an architectural tour of the gorgeous central branch of the St. Louis Public Library. Upon completion, we will adjourn to the city's Rare Books and Manuscript Room for a viewing of the St. Louis Sherlock Holmes Research Collection.
After the library closes at 5, everyone will move back to Westport Plaza. All around our hotel are great choices for dinner with Sherlockian friends, both new and old. And we haven't forgotten about the late-night socialization that happens at these events. You can count on a great time after dinner if you want to keep the party going!
The doors will open Saturday morning for those of us who like to get to the vendors tables first. And you'll want plenty of time to peruse our packed shopping options! Make sure to leave space in your luggage for books from Wessex Press, Books on the Square, and BSI Press along with Sherlockian treasures from Lynda Conway, Joe Eckrich, Regina Stinson, Mike McSwiggin, Steve Mason, and The Practical Preservers of Sherlock Holmes.
Then you're in for a full day of Arch Enemies with presentations by Ray Betzner, Kristen Mertz, Cindy Brown, Steven Doyle, Mike McSwiggin, Beth Gallego, Monica Schmidt, and the St. Louis Costumers Guild. Enjoy topics covering Professor Moriarty, Colonel Moran, Baron Gruner, psychology, and Watson's arch nemesis. And because Sherlockian events are known for their food and socializing, we've built plenty of time into Saturday's schedule for lunch and socialization breaks in between all of these fascinating speakers.
But Saturday isn't finished after all of these speakers. The festivities will continue with a Sherlockian dinner banquet that evening with canonical toasts and a rousing round of Alpha Inn Goose Club Trivia, hosted by your trivia landlord, Brad Keefauver, and his sidekick, a Texas-size goosed who bears an uncanny resemblance to Steve Mason. If you still have energy left after all of this fun, plan on joining fellow Sherlockians for nightlife on more time!
And how could we theme this weekend "Arch Enemies" and not take our guests to the Gateway Arch? Sunday morning will find scores of Sherlockians visiting the Gateway to the West for a trip to the top of the Arch, guided tour of its history museum, and film on the building of this landmark. We'll squeeze in one more meal at a riverfront eatery, and then it will be time for us all to head back to the real world, but full of all of the memories we've made over the past few days!
Registration is open now and hotel rooms are going fast! Two- and three-day packages are available for your travel arrangements. And if you are new to Sherlockiana or St. Louis, don't let that deter you. We will send out driving and parking information out ahead of time. Sherlockians are unbelievably welcoming and once you get here, you won't be a stranger very long!
If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we will be happy to answer any questions. We look forward to meeting you in St. Louis!
