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For many the first stop on your visit to this magical wonderland will be the Colon Community "Magic" Park. It should be mentioned that this part of Michigan is one of the most spectacularly beautiful areas you will find. In fact, it was this beauty that gave Colon its name (a pause between two lakes like a grammatical colon :).
It was also this beauty that convinced Harry Blackstone Sr. that this would be a wonderful site for his troupe to relax in the off season since it is almost exactly half way between Chicago and Detroit.
Back then, the off season was summer as the theatres did not have air conditioning and each summer the Blackstone troupe would come to Colon to rest, relax, fish, make show repairs, and get ready for the upcoming season. After each summer, the Blackstone troupe would put on a free magic show for the people of Colon - Blackstone's way of saying thanks for the hospitality shown to him during his stay.
This wonderful facility was built in 2008 and was designed to showcase the natural beauty of Colon (which is picturesque no matter what season you visit). The park has hosted almost every event you can imagine including car shows, concerts, farmers markets, fundraisers, bake sale, and (of course) the family picnic.
In addition to the majestic pavilion you will also find a playground, pickle ball court, basketball court, even a floating dock on Sturgeon lake. Here you will one of the most popular photo shoot locations with the Michigan Historical Marker L526 which was erected in Colon in 1977. The front of the marker is for the city of Colon and the back of the marker is for Harry Blackstone.
Front title: Colon - Front text: Known as the "Magic Capital of the World," this small town has gained widespread recognition for the invention and manufacture of magic tricks. Colon's reputation as a magic mecca began after Australian Percy Abbott visited the famous American magician Harry Blackstone who lived in this area. Abbott subsequently returned to Colon and started the Abbott Magic Novelty Company in 1933. Mainly a mail-order operation, the company continues to devise tricks which baffle the human eye and mind. In 1934 Abbott sponsored the first "Magic Get-Together," now an annual event attracting thousands of professional and amateur devotees. Blackstone himself as well as other famous conjurers have performed at these festivals.
Back title: Harry Blackstone - Back text: One of America's most notable magicians, Harry Blackstone (1885-1965) lived in Colon. Born Harry Bouton, he began his professional wizardry career at the age of sixteen in his native city of Chicago. Blackstone's fame grew in the first three decades of the twentieth century when magic shows were a staple of vaudeville and Broadway. During World War II millions of servicemen watched him perform at gatherings of the USO (United Service Organizations). His shows often included the "dancing" handkerchief trick and rabbits, which were given to young spectators. Blackstone utilized split-second timing and "misdirection" of the audience to create illusions. His colorful personality enhanced the drama of magic and endeared him to Colon, which, in the early 1960s, renamed Main Street in his honor.
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