4F Magic, Inc. (Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic) convention is the “Original Close-Up Magic Convention” and the most prestigious gathering of close-up magicians in the world. Since 1971 the By-Invitation-Only event continues to feature the best performers, creators and lecturers in the world.
The original idea of holding a close-up magic convention was the brainchild of Eddie Fechter, Bill Okal, and Obie O’Brien.
After a weekend where a group of magicians came to visit Eddie in Buffalo, New York. He, Bill, and Obie spoke about how it would be nice if they could hold a formal gathering of close-up magicians.
Eddie agreed to volunteer his bar if Obie and Bill did all the work. Obie sent out around forty handwritten invitations and around 26 magicians arrived on the last weekend in April 1971.
As soon as word got out about the by-invitation-only event every well-known close-up magician in the world wanted to attend.
Early on Bill Okal moved to California to pursue a successful career as a close-up magician and in 1979 Eddie Fechter passed away. Obie continued to run the convention for its first 49 years until he passed away in 2021.
After the Forks Hotel closed, the convention moved to several locations and hotels allowing it to grow from the original gathering of 20+ magicians to around 225-250 attendees.
After Obie’s passing Joan Caesar and Glenn Brown took over and have put together a team to help run the conventions and all their related commitments. The convention is now run by 4F Magic, Inc., a New York State registered corporation that will soon be getting its non-profit status.