While it has taken us nearly a week to recover from Howard Days 2021, we are happy to announce that our 2021 version was a spectacular event!
Attendance was very high, maybe unexpectedly so, but not nearly as high as the enjoyment of the attendees. After missing 2020 due to we-all-know-what, Howard fans came out in force to celebrate the Life and Legacy of Ol' Two-Gun Bob Howard! We owe a debt of gratitude (as we do every year) to the wonderful work of the folks of Project Pride of Cross Plains. They are the backbone and inspiration for all of us coming to Howard Days! Thank you!
Roy Thomas made for a near-perfect Guest of Honor: so very personable and open, his panels were engaging and entertaining, and his presence was no doubt a factor in the increased attendance.
The Robert E. Howard Museum shone in the hot Texas sun, a beacon for Howard fans from 26 states (and France - thanks, Dr. Louinet). We'll look for more foreign attendees next year, of course, and really celebrate our international family reunion.
One of the highlights of this Howard Days was the unveiling of an on-site plaque monument devoted to REH, provide by the Texas State Historical Commission. The legitimacy of the Robert E. Howard legacy continues to grow.
The Bus, Walking and Grounds Tours were all well-received and pre-eminent Howard Scholar Rusty Burke did his usual masterful job conducting them. The Pavilion was packed both days and folks enjoyed many hot dogs and much tender brisket to go along with the fine Howardian Fellowship that Howard Days is famous for. The brilliant postal cancellation image graced many a postage stamp, the Cross Plains Library hosted many a fan gazing at original Howard typescripts, the REH Foundation Press set-up in the yard, along with several dealers, was buzzing with activity both days. And the Gift Shop in the Museum was darn near empty at the end of the festivities.
The Silent Auction at the Celebration Banquet brought in near record dough for Project Pride and we are happy to report no knife fights broke out during the frenzied bidding! Overall, between the Banquet, Silent Auction, Gift Shop and generous donations, Project Pride made up for the HD's missing year!
A big shout out goes to Mark Finn (author of the REH bio BLOOD and THUNDER) for his wonderful job as both moderator of the REH in Comics panel and for his going solo on our perennial favorite Fists at the Icehouse panel. And he also read the English portion of "Cimmeria" at Porchlight Poetry!
All in all, Howard Days 2021 was a much needed event for all who attended. A big Thank You goes out to you all! We're certain that now that the healing has begun, we can look forward to better times ahead.
And we can guarantee that Howard Days 2022 will be here before we know it! Conan the Cimmerian turns 90 in '22, so we'll have to be on alert for what this iconic literary figure created by the incomparable Robert E. Howard will bring to Howard Days 2022! Y'all come!