9th European Convention
The convention hotel will be the Holiday Inn Hotel Ghent-Expo. The hotel is easy to reach by car or public transport. Friday 7th August As of 2.00pm all delegates are welcome to check in at the hotel. Register yourself and receive your name badge, goodies bag and convention T-shirt (if you ordered one). If you booked your convention early, you get your convention T-shirt free. At 7.00pm you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks after which the Convention will be officially opened. After the official welcome we will enjoy a wonderful banquet with some Belgian specialities. After dinner it is time for the Parade of Tents, a film show and live entertainment. Saturday 8th August No better way to cure a hangover than the Laurel and Hardy Games. Take part in the Pee Wee Contest and try to break all distance records, whether in length or in height. Or become the new World Speed Champion in the Me and My Pal Jigsaw Competition. After that we have the mother of all games: test your knowledge and triumph (or go down with honour) in the inexorable Laurel and Hardy Quiz. To wash down the efforts and emotions we invite you to strengthen the inner man at our unique buffet with all you can eat, Flemish style (with lots of beer). Be sure to have some energy left because in the afternoon we depart for a voyage of discovery in wonderful Ghent. In 1500 Ghent was the second largest city north of the Alps, after Paris, and birthplace of emperor Charles V. Explore the city on your own or register for the "Sneukeltocht", a guided two-hour walking trip through Ghent visiting typical shops where you can taste a few Belgian/Ghent specialities while listening to stories about eating habits and Belgian delicacies combined with funny stories about Ghent. And that's not all. In the evening we go on a Saps at Sea boat trip on the River Leie, with a full dinner on board as well as live entertainment. Upon return you can have a nightcap in the hotel bar. Sunday 9th August Don't be a Blockhead but Pack up Your Troubles and get an early breakfast because the coaches are waiting to take us to Diksmuide, where we will visit the "Dodengang". These are the trenches of World War I. Under professional guidance you can experience what life was really like in those days. Mark the difference with the scenes in the Laurel and Hardy films. Next stop is Bruges, the Venice of the North. Have lunch on your own and then you can visit one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium. Make a boat trip on the canals (don't be Men O' War), take a horse and carriage or just walk along the monuments. And don't forget to buy some world famous lace for those you left at home. Or register for the historic walking trip through Bruges with a professional guide who takes you to the most spectacular sights like the Market, the Belfry, the Beguinage, etc. After returning to the hotel there will be pre-dinner drinks before we enjoy the great Belgian banquet and Fancy Dress Party. Come dressed as your favourite character from a Laurel and Hardy film and surprise everyone with your ingenuity. Maybe you will win the first prize. If you don't win the Fancy Dress Competition there is always the raffle. We have some amazing prizes and a great first prize. After dinner there is live entertainment. Monday 10th August After breakfast there is an Open Grand Sheik's Meeting where the host of the 10th European Convention will be announced. After the Passing of the Pineapple it's time for Goodbyes. During the convention you can always take a rest and enjoy the antics of the Boys in our film room.  Contacts UK Eric Woods, Laurel House, 102 Hough Green Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 4PF. Elsewhere Marc de Coninck, Ommegangstraat 30, B9420 Erpe-Mere, Belgium.
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