Yep, you read that correctly! Robert E. Howard Days in Cross Plains is only five months away! Here in NW Indiana we are battening down the hatches against Mother Nature's furious wrath, all the while dreaming of the luxurious warmth provided to us as Howard Days attendees. It can't show up soon enough!
June 12th & 13th are the "official" dates for Howard Days 2026, but the gathering for Howard Fellowship always begins a day or three early. Plans for this year's event are full steam ahead and while some discussion is still to be had, rest assured all the "regular" Howard Days events are in place.
Howard Days 2026 finds us with a good number of "Ending in zero" anniversaries to make it extra special:
- 40 YEARS of HOWARD DAYS! From it's small beginnings in 1986, HD has grown to a world-wide international gathering of Robert E. Howard Fans.
- It's the 30th Anniversary of THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, the award-winning film about Bob Howard and Novalyne Ellis. Screenwriter Michael Myers will be on hand as we present a special viewing.
- The ROBERT E. HOWARD FOUNDATION is celebrating its 20th Year!
- Let us not forget 2026 is the 120th Birthday Anniversary of Ol' Two-Gun Bob Howard! We'll need help blowing out all those candles, but there WILL BE CAKE! (Don't forget to celebrate the actual date of January 22nd!)
- CONAN the ADVENTURER Lancer paperback came to us 60 Years ago! This seminal tome is responsible for starting the Howard Boom of the 1960's and '70's.
Any one of these anniversaries is cause for celebration, but having them all happening this year really shines the light on Howard Days and the Robert E. Howard Museum - and it provides all attendees with Fellowship Fuel as we gather at the House and Pavilion to celebrate our involvement with Bob Howard.
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 2026
Project Pride is in the process of making some changes in the Pre-Registration process for this year. One change will be an increase in cost to $35.00. This low price will get you a seat at the Friday Banquet along with helping defray the costs of the Friday Hot Dog Lunch, Thursday coffee & donuts, all drinks in the big cooler and birthday cake.
We will get the correct process information to you as soon as it is available, which should be soon.
HOWARD DAYS EVENTS
All of our "regular" HD Events are ready to roll. The Tours (House, Bus, Walking & Grounds) are always the highlight; the Friday Night Celebration Banquet (with Guest of Honor Rusty Burke) will once again be at the Cross Plains Community Center; the amazing Silent Auction takes place next door; and we have an excellent slate of interesting panels in place related to our anniversaries. The REH Foundation Awards will be presented, a special souvenir Postal Stamp Cancellation will be available and the Cross Plains Review and Cross Plains Public Library will be open to show off real Howard artifacts (manuscripts, pulp magazines and boxing gloves!) The Library is planning a fund-raiser dinner for Saturday late afternoon - we'll have more information as details become known.
The Barbara Barrett Memorial Porchlight Poetry will happen Saturday evening as well.
And above all, plan on being immersed in Howard Fellowship, where all like-minded folks with an interest in Robert E. Howard can gather and converse about his Writing, his Life and his Legacy. It's The Best Two Days in Howard Fandom - and we hope you can be part of it!
Y'all come!
THE REH MUSEUM NEEDS YOUR HELP!
You can also make a difference in continuing Howard's legacy and help support the REH Museum from the comfort of your home. Last year, serious structural problems were found at the REH Museum and it was determined that restorations are needed. The REH Foundation paid for a structural/architectural analysis and it was found that the foundation of the house is in bad shape.
Currently a fund-raiser is underway at www.rehfoundation.org to provide the means by which the situation can be corrected. A substantial amount of money will be needed and your help will be much appreciated. All the needed info is at the website.
You can also check out the REH Foundation's YouTube channel for additional information and some pretty interesting information and entertainment.
