Great Nicola Magic Festival Returns to Monmouth This Weekend

 Magic history will come alive in Monmouth, Illinois, on Saturday, September 26, as the community celebrates one of its most famous entertainers during the 7th Annual Great Nicola Magic Festival.

Hosted at the Warren County History Museum, this year's festival will feature three family-friendly magic shows along with a celebration of the remarkable career and legacy of The Great Nicola.

Who Was The Great Nicola?

Born William Mozart Nicol, The Great Nicola became an internationally known magician and illusionist while maintaining his home in Monmouth.

According to the City of Monmouth, Nicola wasn't simply a performer. He was also an inventor and showman who developed innovative magic apparatus in his Monmouth workshop, with his work helping influence the grand illusion tradition that followed.

His career took him around the world, but his connection to Monmouth remained strong.

The city's magic history extends beyond Nicola himself. His father John Nicol performed as Nicoli, while his brother Charles performed under names including Von Arx and Chasan. Nicola's wife Marion was also an important partner in his stage performances.

Even Nicola's famous performing elephant, Nizie, is part of the area's history.

Three Magic Shows Planned for the Festival

This year's Great Nicola Magic Festival runs from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Warren County History Museum and features three performers:

T.J. Regal — 2:00 p.m.
William Pack — 4:00 p.m.
David Casas — 6:00 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door. Adult admission is $10, youth ages 13–18 are $3, and children 12 and younger can attend free with a paid adult.

Keeping Magic History Alive

Events like the Great Nicola Magic Festival offer something especially valuable to the magic community.

Magic has an incredibly rich history, but much of that history can easily disappear as generations pass. Festivals and museums that preserve original artifacts and tell the stories of performers such as Nicola help introduce those performers to audiences who may never have encountered their work otherwise.

The Warren County History Museum maintains artifacts connected to The Great Nicola and uses the annual festival both as entertainment and as an opportunity to educate visitors about the history and art of magic.

For magicians, magic historians and families interested in discovering a fascinating piece of entertainment history, Monmouth will be celebrating one of its hometown legends this Saturday.

Warren County History Museum – Great Nicola Magic Festival information