84 Magic Shows at Round Hill Farm: Behind the Scenes

This season at Round Hill Farm, I’m performing 84 magic shows, with eight shows on Saturdays and six on Sundays. That makes 14 performances in a weekend, along with photos, meet and greets, candy cannon countdowns, and plenty of walking around the farm.

It’s a busy schedule, and I love being part of it.

There’s a lot happening between one show and the next, so I thought I’d share a look at what those fall weekends are like for Natalie and me.

From the Magic Show to the Candy Cannon

Each round begins with a 30-minute magic show. Afterward, I take pictures and spend some time meeting the families who came to watch.

 

                                                    

Then I pick up my handheld speaker and, with my headset microphone, lead the crowd across the farm to the candy cannon. It’s a little like being the Pied Piper, with the candy cannon as our destination.

Before the launch, I explain the rules and get everyone lined up behind the starting line for safety. Once everyone is in place, I start the countdown from ten to one.

Then comes the boom!

The compressed-air cannon sends three bags’ worth of candy out into the field for the kids to collect. It’s a whole extra event following the magic show—and another part of my day at the farm.

 

   

                                              

Announcing the Next Show

After the candy cannon, I pick up my speaker again and make a lap around the farm, switching into my best carnival barker voice:

“Free magic show starts in 15 minutes, followed by the candy cannon! Come see a free show and get a ton of candy—all starting in 15 minutes!”

That walk helps let visitors know what’s coming up and brings the next audience toward the stage.

By the time I get back, I usually have about five minutes to finish getting the props ready, grab a sip of water, or squeeze in a quick bathroom break.

Then the next show begins, and we start the cycle again.

Natalie Keeps Everything Moving

I’m fortunate to have Natalie working alongside me throughout those busy days.

She stays near the stage, handles almost all of the resetting, sells magic, and helps me onstage during every show. While I’m leading the crowd to the cannon or making announcements around the farm, she’s helping get everything ready for the next performance.

Having her there makes an enormous difference when the turnaround is that tight.

A schedule like this involves much more than the time spent performing. Props need to be ready again, customers need help, and the next show keeps approaching. Natalie’s work connects all of those pieces and helps us keep the day moving.

Fall is my Favorite Season

These weekends keep us busy from one performance to the next, but they also give me the opportunity to spend the season doing something I love.

I get to perform magic, meet families, work alongside Natalie, and be part of Round Hill Farm’s fall activities.

The farm has also been part of our MagicLife story over the years. You can revisit our Round Hill Farm vlog from 2019 and the Round Hill Farm episode of Wes Iseli’s MagicLife for a few earlier farm memories.

This season, there are 84 shows on the schedule and plenty to do between them.

I love this time of year. I love this farm. And I love magic.