Jim Barber & Melonie Hit the Road for the 50th Annual Vent Haven International Ventriloquist Convention
This July, Melonie and I will be climbing aboard our 44-foot Newell Motorcoach, “The Barber Bus,” and heading out on an exciting summer adventure that will take us through Eastern Tennessee, Northern Kentucky, Central Indiana, and the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota before returning home to Branson, Missouri.
One of the highlights of our journey will be participating in the historic 50th Annual Vent Haven International Ventriloquist Convention, held July 15-18 in Erlanger, Kentucky. Widely recognized as the world’s premier gathering of ventriloquists, Vent Haven brings together performers, educators, collectors, and fans from around the globe to celebrate the art of ventriloquism and the legacy of the famous Vent Haven Museum. This golden anniversary promises to be one of the largest and most exciting conventions in the event’s history, featuring legendary performers, educational workshops, special presentations, and unforgettable evening shows.
For me, Vent Haven is much more than a convention. It is a reunion with friends who have dedicated their lives to making audiences laugh, inspiring future generations of performers, and preserving an art form that has brought joy to millions. This year’s celebration features an incredible lineup including Darci Lynne Farmer, Jeff Dunham, Willie Tyler, Jay Johnson, Taylor Mason, Max Fulham, Lynn Trefzger, Dan Horn, Don Bryan, Jack Williams, Megan Piphus, and many other talented artists from around the world.
I am especially honored to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Thursday Night Bash featuring Jack Williams, Lynn Trefzger, and Taylor Mason. Having the opportunity to share the stage with friends and fellow performers whom I have admired for years is one of the great privileges of my career. The ventriloquism community is truly unique. Whether you are a seasoned professional, an aspiring performer, or simply someone who enjoys family-friendly entertainment, Vent Haven represents the very best of comedy, creativity, and lifelong friendships.
The fun doesn’t stop there. Following Vent Haven, I’ll continue north to Spencer, Indiana, where I will be featured in VentFest 2026, one of the nation’s premier ventriloquism festivals. This exciting event showcases some of the most respected names in the industry, including Ronn Lucas, Willie Tyler, Jay Johnson, Don Bryan, David Crone, Ken Groves, Tansy Davis, and Bob Abdou. VentFest has quickly become a must-see destination for comedy lovers, ventriloquists, and fans of live family entertainment.
After VentFest, Melonie and I are excited to point The Barber Bus west toward the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota, where we’ll be presenting our full comedy and music variety show at two of the finest RV resorts in the region. On Friday, July 31st at 7:00 PM, we’ll perform at Heart Ranch RV Resort near Rapid City. Then on Thursday, August 6th at 2:00 PM, we’ll bring the laughter to Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort in Spearfish.
These special appearances allow us to combine three things we love—travel, RV life, and live entertainment. Our family-friendly show features comedy ventriloquism, music, audience participation, and many of the characters audiences have enjoyed throughout our years performing in Branson theaters, on cruise ships, at corporate events, churches, theaters, and RV resorts across America. We are honored to bring our unique brand of entertainment to the wonderful RV communities that call the Black Hills home during the summer months.
Since Jim was born and raised in Rapid City, SD, the Black Hills are one of our favorite destinations in the country. From Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park to the historic communities of Deadwood and Spearfish, the region offers incredible scenery, rich history, and some of the nicest RV resorts anywhere in America. We look forward to meeting travelers from across North America and sharing evenings filled with laughter, music, and unforgettable memories.
As Melonie and I travel aboard The Barber Bus, we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes stories, road adventures, and highlights from these remarkable events on our BarberBus YouTube Channel. We’ll take viewers inside the world of professional ventriloquism while introducing them to some of the most talented performers in the business and showcasing the beauty of America’s highways and destinations.
After our summer tour concludes, we’ll return to Branson where I’ll resume my regular appearances in the Jim Barber & Friends segments of the Comedy Bash Dinner Show at the Shepherd of the Hills Attraction. It’s always exciting to travel, but there is no place quite like home and the wonderful audiences we enjoy entertaining in the Ozarks.
If you’re a fan of ventriloquism, family-friendly comedy, variety entertainment, RV lifestyle travel, or live comedy shows, this summer is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons we’ve experienced in years. We hope you’ll follow along as we celebrate 50 years of laughter, friendship, and the timeless art of bringing characters to life while sharing our adventures from the road aboard The Barber Bus.