Florida Magician of the Year Event Huge Success at Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
By Space Coast Daily // January 18, 2018
12 finalists performed to a nearly sold-out house
Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse and Magic Dove Magic Shop partner for successful first Florida Magician of the Year contest.
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – In an ongoing effort to preserve and grow the art of magic, Dr. Dan Ezell, owner of Magic Dove Magic Shop partnered with The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse to bring the Florida Magician of the Year contest to the City of Cocoa.
This landmark event attracted magicians from all over Florida. Bowling balls dropped and umbrellas popped as 12 finalists performed to a nearly sold-out house.
Winning contestants from three categories were named, “Florida Magician of the Year,” including Todd Bogue of Port Orange in the adult category, Autumn VanVorhis of Rockledge in the youth category and Megan Waryk of Cocoa Beach in the junior category.
“We are very excited about this partnership and what the future holds for the art of magic in the state of Florida,” said Dr. Dan Ezell, creator of the Florida Magician of the Year contest.
“This contest has highlighted some of Florida’s most talented magicians, not only for the working professional magicians but also for aspiring young magicians.”
Dr. Anastasia Hawkins-Smith, Director of the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, said the event was a huge success.
“We have never hosted this type of event and we are honored to partner with Magic Dove Magic Shop and we look forward to continuing to partner with our local community,” said Hawkins-Smith.
“I was so happy that I won, I couldn’t believe it,” said Waryk, a 9-year-old Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School student and First Place winner in the Junior Division.
Megan’s step-father, Don Bascle went on to say, “There was much more than magic on display during this competition. The class, pride, and character in every contestant is why we are so grateful that Megan is part of the magic family. This was a win for Brevard, the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, Magic Dove Magic Shop, and all the talented magicians onstage.”
“I’ve been doing magic since I was 7-years-old, and winning Youth Florida Magician of the Year has been the most magical event that has happened in my life,” said VanVorhis, 15-year-old Rockledge High student.
This event was an important milestone for the art of magic as many talented people worked hard to bring this show to reality. The Man of Mystery, Jeff Alan, was the Master of Ceremonies and ended the event with his escape act that he performed on America’s Got Talent with Howie Mandel.
“Hopefully this can show others that anything is possible if you never give up on your dreams,” said Todd Bogue, of Port Orange, winner of the coveted title, Florida Magician of the Year.
“I have so many friends and family members to thank for their support, but it’s the people that didn’t believe in me that I thank the most.”
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